 The Art of War was introduced into Japan c . AD 760 and the book quickly became popular among Japanese generals . Through its later influence on Oda Nobunaga , Toyotomi Hideyoshi , and Tokugawa Ieyasu , it significantly affected the unification of Japan in the early modern era . Prior to the Meiji Restoration , mastery of its teachings was honored among the samurai and its teachings were both exhorted and exemplified by influential daimyo and shoguns . Subsequently , it remained popular among the Imperial Japanese armed forces . The Admiral of the Fleet Tōgō Heihachirō , who led Japan 's forces to victory in the Russo @-@ Japanese War , was an avid reader of Sun Tzu . 
