Bokkō (novel)

Bokkō (墨攻), also known as Battle Ready, A Battle of Wits, or Attack on Mo-city, is a historical fiction novel by Japanese author Ken'ichi Sakemi (酒見 賢一). First published in 1991, it depicts the events of a single battle in ancient China during the Warring States period (475–221 BCE), focusing on the siege of a small city-state named Liang.

The story centers around Ge Li (革離), a highly skilled strategist and philosopher affiliated with the Mohist school of thought, who arrives to defend Liang against an impending invasion by the powerful Zhao state army. Ge Li uses Mohist principles of defensive warfare, egalitarianism, and universal love to organize the city's defense, despite facing skepticism, resistance, and internal conflicts from the city's leaders and inhabitants.

Bokkō explores themes of pacifism, the futility of war, the importance of strategic thinking and societal cooperation, and the ethical dilemmas faced by individuals in times of conflict. It highlights the Mohist philosophy's focus on practical solutions and its opposition to aggressive warfare. The novel is known for its detailed descriptions of siege warfare tactics and its nuanced portrayal of characters on both sides of the conflict.

Bokkō has been adapted into several forms of media, including a Hong Kong-Chinese film of the same name released in 2006, directed by Jacob Cheung and starring Andy Lau as Ge Li. The novel's success has contributed to increased awareness of Mohism and its relevance to contemporary discussions on peace and conflict resolution.