How to Read “将を射んとせば先ず馬を射よ”
Shō wo in to seba mazu uma wo iyo
Meaning of “将を射んとせば先ず馬を射よ”
The original meaning of this proverb is: “To achieve a major goal, first conquer the important elements that form its foundation.”
Rather than directly attacking the main target, it represents strategic thinking that makes final goal achievement more certain by first cutting off the important supports that are the source of that power. This is by no means a detour, but rather teaches that it is the most efficient and reliable method.
In business situations, this applies to winning against competitors by first poaching excellent talent or building relationships with important business partners. In learning as well, it shows the importance of solidly establishing fundamentals before challenging difficult problems.
The reason for using this expression is that people often become captivated only by conspicuous goals and tend to overlook the important elements that form their foundation. This proverb teaches us that true successful people possess the insight to discern not superficial glamour, but the essential sources of power.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb originates from a historical account recorded in the ancient Chinese classic “Records of the Grand Historian” (Shiji). It is said to derive from words spoken by the famous general Han Xin, who served Liu Bang, the founder of the Han dynasty, as a tactic for defeating enemy generals.
In ancient China, it was customary for generals to ride horses and command from the battlefield. Horses were not merely means of transportation for generals, but their very lifeline on the battlefield. While directly targeting an enemy general was difficult, the tactical idea emerged that by first shooting his beloved horse, the general’s actions could be restricted, ultimately rendering the general powerless.
This historical account was likely transmitted to Japan sometime between the Heian and Kamakura periods. When the warrior era began, mounted combat became highly valued in Japan as well, and this teaching was widely accepted as military tactical theory. During the Edo period, it became established as part of samurai education, and eventually came to be used among common people as well with the meaning of “effective procedures for achieving goals.”
This proverb, which has been passed down to modern times, continues to be cherished as wisdom for accomplishing things, transcending mere tactical theory.
Interesting Facts
On ancient Chinese battlefields, a general’s beloved horse was more than just a mount. Famous horses had value exceeding today’s luxury cars, with a single horse worth enough to buy a small village. Therefore, losing a horse not only dealt a significant economic blow but was thought to greatly diminish the general’s fighting spirit.
The same was true during Japan’s Warring States period, where military commanders gave names to their beloved horses and cherished them like family. Many famous horses have left their names in history, such as Oda Nobunaga’s beloved horse “Jibu-shōyū” and Uesugi Kenshin’s “Hōjō Tsukige.”
Usage Examples
- If you want to make a new business successful, following the principle of “If you want to shoot general first shoot horse,” let’s start by building relationships with key people in the industry
- For exam preparation too, with the spirit of “If you want to shoot general first shoot horse,” I decided to thoroughly establish fundamentals rather than immediately challenging past exam questions
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has become more multi-layered and strategic. In our information society, the important elements that correspond to the “horse” have diversified, making their identification more difficult.
In the business world, a company’s “horse” is no longer a single element. Multiple important pillars exist, such as excellent human resources, technological capability, brand power, financial strength, and information networks. Successful managers accurately judge which “horse” of their competitors they should target and approach strategically.
In the era of social media and digital marketing, influencers and word-of-mouth often play the role of the “horse.” Rather than directly promoting products or services, building relationships with trustworthy communicators first ultimately leads to greater results.
On the other hand, in modern times, the act of “shooting the horse” is increasingly viewed as ethically problematic. Poaching talent and competing for business partners are sometimes criticized as unfair competition. When utilizing the wisdom of this proverb, it’s important to maintain a spirit of fair play and strive for constructive competition.
Furthermore, in personal career development, this proverb takes on new meaning. The importance of first cultivating the necessary skills and networks—the “horses”—to obtain one’s ideal profession is being recognized more than ever before.
When AI Hears This
For social media influencers, their “horse” is follower count and engagement rates. No matter how charismatic they are, if the algorithm turns against them and their posts stop appearing in feeds, they lose their influence instantly. In fact, when Instagram changed its algorithm in 2021, many famous influencers saw their reach drop by over 70%.
For politicians, their “horse” consists of funding sources and media exposure. When scandals drive away major donors or when media outlets start ignoring them, their political careers can end regardless of their policy merits. For corporate executives, shareholder trust and relationships with key business partners serve as their “horse.”
What’s fascinating is that modern “horses” are multiple and interconnected. For instance, when targeting a company’s CEO, you could aim for a chain reaction: drive down stock prices → lose institutional investor confidence → reduce influence in board meetings.
What’s uniquely modern is how these “horses” have become harder to see. Ancient generals rode horses that were obvious to everyone, but today it takes sophisticated analysis to identify what power holders depend on most. Social media algorithms working behind the scenes, complex capital relationships, invisible network effects—only those who can identify the true “horses” can gain strategic advantage in our modern world.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is the importance of the spirit of “haste makes waste” and “having an eye that discerns essence.” Precisely because we live in modern times where information spreads instantly on social media and everything appears to be a speed competition, we need time to stop and think about “what is truly important.”
If you are currently working hard toward some goal, try stopping for a moment. What is the “horse” supporting that goal? If your goal is obtaining a qualification, it might be basic academic ability; if it’s changing jobs, it might be networks or skills; if you want to build good relationships, it might be understanding the other person.
What’s important is not aggressively seizing that “horse” from others, but cultivating it within yourself. Rather than envying others’ success, strengthen your own foundation. Rather than seeking flashy results, accumulate steady effort. Such an attitude is the message this proverb wants to convey to modern times.
You will surely realize that the path that appears to be a detour is actually the most reliable and beautiful journey.
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