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Sun Tzu (;〔("Sun Tzu" ). ''Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia'' (2013).〕 also rendered as Sun Zi) was a Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher who lived in the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. He is actually best known by an honorific which means "Master Sun"; his birth name was Sun Wu, and he was known outside of his family by his courtesy name Changqing. Tzu is traditionally credited as the author of ''The Art of War'', a widely influential work of military strategy that has impacted both Western and Eastern philosophy. Aside from his legacy as the author of ''The Art of War'', Sun Tzu is revered in Chinese and Asian culture as a legendary historical figure. Sun Tzu's historicity is uncertain. Sima Qian and other traditional historians placed him as a minister to King Helü of Wu and dated his lifetime to 544–496 BC. Modern scholars accepting his historicity nonetheless place the existing text of ''The Art of War'' in the later Warring States period based upon its style of composition and its descriptions of warfare.〔.〕 Traditional accounts state that the general's descendant Sun Bin also wrote a treatise on military tactics, also titled ''The Art of War''. Since both Sun Wu and Sun Bin were referred to as Sun Tzu in classical Chinese texts, some historians believed them identical prior to the rediscovery of Sun Bin's treatise in 1972. Sun Tzu's work has been praised and employed throughout East Asia since its composition. During the twentieth century, ''The Art of War'' grew in popularity and saw practical use in Western society as well. It continues to influence many competitive endeavors in Asia, Europe, and America including culture, politics,〔.〕〔.〕 business,〔.〕 and sports,〔.〕 as well as modern warfare. ==Life== The oldest available sources disagree as to where Sun Tzu was born. The ''Spring and Autumn Annals'' states that Sun Tzu was born in Qi,〔.〕 while Sima Qian's later ''Records of the Grand Historian'' states that Sun Tzu was a native of Wu.〔.〕 Both sources agree that Sun Tzu was born in the late Spring and Autumn Period and that he was active as a general and strategist, serving king Helü of Wu in the late sixth century BC, beginning around 512 BC. Sun Tzu's victories then inspired him to write ''The Art of War''. ''The Art of War'' was one of the most widely read military treatises in the subsequent Warring States period, a time of constant war among seven nations Zhao, Qi, Qin, Chu, Han, Wei, and Yan who fought to control the vast expanse of fertile territory in Eastern China.〔.〕 One of the more well-known stories about Sun Tzu, taken from Sima Qian, illustrates Sun Tzu's temperament as follows: Before hiring Sun Tzu, the King of Wu tested Sun Tzu's skills by commanding him to train a harem of 180 concubines into soldiers. Sun Tzu divided them into two companies, appointing the two concubines most favored by the king as the company commanders. When Sun Tzu first ordered the concubines to face right, they giggled. In response, Sun Tzu said that the general, in this case himself, was responsible for ensuring that soldiers understood the commands given to them. Then, he reiterated the command, and again the concubines giggled. Sun Tzu then ordered the execution of the king's two favored concubines, to the king's protests. He explained that if the general's soldiers understood their commands but did not obey, it was the fault of the officers. Sun Tzu also said that, once a general was appointed, it was his duty to carry out his mission, even if the king protested. After both concubines were killed, new officers were chosen to replace them. Afterwards, both companies, now well aware of the costs of further frivolity, performed their maneuvers flawlessly.〔.〕 Sima Qian claimed that Sun Tzu later proved on the battlefield that his theories were effective (for example, at the Battle of Boju), that he had a successful military career, and that he wrote ''The Art of War'' based on his tested expertise.〔 However, ''Zuo Zhuan'', an earlier historical text which provides a much more detailed account of the Battle of Boju, does not mention Sun Tzu at all.〔.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Sun Tzu」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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