Guiguzi

Guiguzi (鬼谷子) is a collection of ancient Chinese texts compiled

Guiguzi
between the late Warring States period and the end of the Han
Dynasty. The work, between 6,000–7,000 Chinese characters, Chinese 鬼谷子
discusses techniques of rhetoric. Although originally associated Transcriptions
with the School of Diplomacy, the Guiguzi was later integrated
Standard Mandarin
into the Daoist canon.
Hanyu Pinyin Guǐgǔzi
Wade–Giles Kuei3 Ku3 Tzu
Contents Wang Xu

Authorship
Traditional Chinese 王詡
Contents Simplified Chinese 王诩
Translations Transcriptions

References Standard Mandarin

Hanyu Pinyin Wáng Xǔ
Further reading
Wade–Giles Wang2 Hsü3
External links

Authorship
There has been much speculation about the identity of the writer of Guiguzi, the origin of his name (literally
'The Sage of Ghost Valley') and the authenticity of the work as a whole.[1] While there has been no final
outcome to this discussion, Chinese scholars believe that the compilation reflects a genuine corpus of
Warring States period writings on political lobbying. While most writers doubt the assertion that the
Guiguzi was written by a single personality, the Records of the Grand Historian do refer to a Guigu
Xiansheng ( 鬼谷先生 , i.e., Guigu family firstborn) who taught persuaders Su Qin and Zhang Yi.[2] Thus,
this Guigu is traditionally considered the founder of the School of Diplomacy (
[3]
縱橫家 ; Zònghéngjiā), a
school of thought which was particularly interested in rhetoric. Guigu Xiansheng is also said to have
taught famous Warring States generals Sun Bin and Pang Juan.[1] The association of the name Wang Xu
(王詡 ) is not generally held to be supported.[1] Whereas books I and II are attributed to the same author,
Book III is likely an addition by a later author.[4] There is no material in the text to support the view held by
some that Guiguzi is a book on military tactics.

Contents
Guiguzi comprises three books, with chapters on different strategies of observation and persuasion.[5]
 Chapter Title Chinese Title
Book I

1 "Open-Shut" Bǎi hé 捭闔
2 "Reflect-Respond" Fǎnyìng 反應

3 "Affect-Fortify" Nèi Qián 内揵

4 "Mend-Break" Dǐ Xī 抵巇

Book II

1 "Captivate-Capture" Fēi Qián飛箝

2 "Resist-Reconcile" Wǔ Hé 忤合

3 "Weighing" Chuāi 揣

4 "Gauging" Mó 摩

5 "Assessing" Quán 權

6 "Deploying" Móu 謀

7 "Decision-Making" Jué 决

8 "Fundamental Principles" Fú Yán 符言

9 "Rotation of Small Shots" Zhuǎn Wán 轉丸

10 "Solution to Disorder" Qū luàn 胠亂

Book III

"The Primary Doctrine on the Běn Jīng Yīn Fú Qī Piān

1
Seven Arts of the Yin Mystique" 本經陰符七篇
2 "Holding the Pivot" Chí Shū 持樞

3 "The Central Doctrine" Zhōng Jīng 中經

Translations
There have been translations of Guiguzi into modern Chinese, German, English, and Russian (see below).
Almost all modern annotated texts and western translations rely heavily on the explanations of the texts
attributed to the Eastern Jin scholar Tao Hongjing.[6]

References
1. Wu, Hui (2016). Guiguzi, China's First Treatise on Rhetoric: A Critical Translation and
Commentary. Carbondale, Illinois: Southern Illinois University Press. p. 9.
ISBN 9780809335268.
2. Wu, Hui (2016). Guiguzi, China's First Treatise on Rhetoric: A Critical Translation and
Commentary. Carbondale, Illinois: Southern Illinois University Press. p. 11.
ISBN 9780809335268.
3. Feng, Youlan (1983). A history of Chinese philosophy. Princeton, USA: Princeton University
Press. ISBN 0-691-02021-3.
4. Wu, Hui (2016). Guiguzi, China's First Treatise on Rhetoric: A Critical Translation and
Commentary. Carbondale, Illinois: Southern Illinois University Press. p. 90.
ISBN 9780809335268.
5. Wu, Hui (2016). Guiguzi, China's First Treatise on Rhetoric: A Critical Translation and
Commentary. Carbondale, Illinois: Southern Illinois University Press. pp. vii–viii.
ISBN 9780809335268.
6. Wu, Hui (2016). Guiguzi, China's First Treatise on Rhetoric: A Critical Translation and
Commentary. Carbondale, Illinois: Southern Illinois University Press. p. 10.
ISBN 9780809335268.

Further reading
蕭登福《鬼谷子研究》. 2001 文津出版社
陈宇《鬼谷子兵法破解》. ISBN 7-5065-4584-5/E.2024
Guiguzi, China's First Treatise on Rhetoric: A Critical Translation and Commentary (http://siu
press.siu.edu/books/978-0-8093-3527-5). Trans. Hui Wu. Carbondale, Ill.: Southern Illinois
University Press, 2016.
Thunder in the Sky: Secets on the Acquisition and Exercise of Power. Trans. Thomas
Cleary. Boston: Shambbala Books, 1994.
Michael Robert Borschat. "'Guiguzi': A Textual Study and Translation". University of
Washington Ph.D. Thesis, 1985. [1] (https://digital.lib.washington.edu/researchworks/handle/
1773/15506)
Chung Se Kimm, "Kuei-Kuh-Tse: Der Philosoph vom Teufelstal," 1927.
Robert van Gulik: 'Kuei-ku-tzu, The Philosopher of the Ghost Vale", "China", XIII, no 2 (May
1939).
«Гуй Гу-цзы». В кн: Искусство управления. Сост., пер., вступ. ст. и коммент. В.В.
Малявина. М.: «Издательство Астрель»: «Издательство АСТ», 2003. С.244-318.
Xu Fuhong. Guiguzi Yan Jiu. Shanghai: Shanghai Classics Press, 2008.
Xu Fuhong. Guiguzi Jijiao Jizhu. Beihing: Zhonghua shuju, 2008.
Chen Puqing, Guiguzi xiangjie. Changsha, Hunan: Yuelu Press, 2005.
Du Yong. "On the Time Record of Guiguzi." Journal of Tianjing Normal University:; Social
Science 170.6 (2003): 30-32.
Xiao Yuhan. Guiguzi zhuaqi: Quan jie zhanguo diyi quiren mieguozhishu. Beijing: Tuanjie
shubanshe, 2002.
Xiao Dengfu. Guiguzi Yan Jiu. Taibei, Taiwan: Wenjin Press, 2001.
Daniel Coyle. "Guiguzi: On the Cosmological Axes of Chinese Persuasion." Dissertation.
University of Hawaii, 1999.
Fang Lizhong. Guiguzi quanshu. Beijing: Shumu wenxian chubanshe, 1993.
Zhang Jianguo. Guiguzi shiyong zhimou daquan. Beijing: Meteorological Press, 1993.
Zhang Shixin. "Demystifying Guiguzi." Journal of Zhejiang Teachers University: Social
Science Edition 2 (1990): 42-47.

External links
Works by Guiguzi (https://www.gutenberg.org/author/Guiguzi) at Project Gutenberg
Guiguzi on Ctext (http://ctext.org/gui-gu-zi)
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