How to Read “常山の蛇勢”
Jōzan no dasei
Meaning of “常山の蛇勢”
“Mount Jōzan’s snake force” refers to a system where an organization or group works as one unified entity, and when any part faces attack or difficulty, the whole quickly cooperates to respond.
This expression is used when describing the ideal state of teamwork or organizational management. It doesn’t simply mean getting along well, but rather refers to a state where each part naturally coordinates and moves like a single living organism. When one person is in trouble, everyone else naturally provides support, and wherever problems arise, the entire organization can respond swiftly. It’s used to express this kind of ideal unity.
Even today, this concept is extremely valuable when evaluating excellent sports teams or efficient workplace organizations. No matter how high individual abilities may be, true power cannot be demonstrated without coordination. In organizations where Mount Jōzan’s snake force is realized, information sharing is swift, role distribution is clear yet flexible, and they can handle difficult situations without being shaken.
Origin and Etymology
“Mount Jōzan’s snake force” is a proverb derived from the ancient Chinese military treatise “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu. Mount Jōzan is an ancient Chinese place name, and this expression was born from the characteristics of a snake that lived there.
This snake had very interesting properties. When its head was attacked, the tail would respond; when the tail was attacked, the head would respond; and when the body was attacked, both the head and tail would respond simultaneously. In other words, it had the ability to respond quickly as a unified whole, no matter which part of its body was attacked.
Sun Tzu introduced this snake’s characteristics as an ideal for military strategy. He taught that armies should also respond with coordination throughout the whole unit when one part is attacked, just like Mount Jōzan’s snake. If the front of the troops is attacked, the rear should provide support; if the rear is attacked, the front should provide cover; and if the center is attacked, both front and rear should cooperate to handle it. This kind of perfect coordination was considered the path to victory.
This expression was transmitted to Japan during the era when Chinese military treatises became widely read among Japan’s warrior class. The military commanders of the Warring States period probably also tried to apply this teaching to their own military strategies.
Usage Examples
- Our team has Mount Jōzan’s snake force, and we all face any trouble together
- This department has Mount Jōzan’s snake force in place, so they can handle even sudden projects smoothly
Modern Interpretation
In today’s information society, the concept of “Mount Jōzan’s snake force” has become even more important. With the development of digital technology, the speed of information sharing and coordination within organizations has improved dramatically. By utilizing chat tools and cloud systems, it has become possible to share situations in real-time and instantly build cooperative systems.
Particularly now that remote work has become widespread, there is a demand to realize “Mount Jōzan’s snake force” even when physically separated. Organizations that coordinate like a single living organism using online meeting systems and project management tools are gaining competitive advantages.
However, along with technological progress, new challenges have also emerged. These include confusion due to information overload and the problem of subtle nuances that are difficult to convey through digital communication. It has become clear once again that to realize true “Mount Jōzan’s snake force,” not only technical mechanisms are necessary, but also caring hearts and trust relationships are indispensable.
Today, this concept is applied across a wide range of fields, from startup company organization building to disaster response teams, and even online game team strategies. This proves that ancient Chinese wisdom holds universal value that applies even in the digital age.
When AI Hears This
The tactics of the Changshan serpent represent exactly what modern network theory calls “redundancy design.” The reason the internet continues functioning even when some servers go down is precisely because it applies this serpent principle.
In network engineering, “eliminating single points of failure” is an iron rule, which mirrors the serpent’s mechanism where “attacking any part triggers immediate response from other parts.” Google’s search system distributes millions of servers worldwide, so when one location fails, others instantly compensate. This design philosophy was already perfected in the 2,000-year-old military treatise “The Art of War.”
Even more remarkable is that human nervous systems share this same structure. In neuroscience, there’s a phenomenon called “plasticity” where other brain regions take over functions when one area is damaged. Modern logistics networks work similarly—Amazon’s delivery system automatically selects alternative routes to deliver products when problems arise with a warehouse or transport route.
In essence, the Changshan serpent formation is evidence that ancient China had already systematized organizational strengthening principles that were independently “discovered” in biology, information engineering, and management science. Modern AI’s distributed processing systems are ultimately just numerical implementations of this serpent wisdom.
Lessons for Today
“Mount Jōzan’s snake force” teaches us modern people that true strength lies not in individual ability, but in connections. No matter how excellent each person may be individually, great results cannot be achieved if everyone moves separately. However, if there are relationships of mutual trust and support, we can demonstrate power beyond imagination.
To apply this teaching in daily life, let’s start by understanding others’ positions. Whether with family or at work, when someone is in trouble, instead of thinking “it’s not my concern,” develop the habit of thinking “how can I support them?” And when you need help yourself, it’s also important to honestly rely on those around you.
In modern society, individualism tends to be emphasized, but true success and happiness are born within connections with people. Starting today, try being conscious of coordination with people close to you. Beginning with small acts of cooperation, wonderful teamwork like “Mount Jōzan’s snake force” might eventually emerge. Things that have limits when done alone can surely be overcome when everyone works together.
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