Liu
Jin Sheng wrote “Chin Na Fa: Skill of Catch and Hold” published in Sanghai in 1936.
I
am sharing the structure of the book as I think what was used for police and
military training is a good find. It is graphic as their needs were different
than those most of us follow today.
The book “CHIN NA FA”1 was written
by Liu Jin Sheng in collaboration
with Zhao Jiang. The first edition of the book was issued in July of 1936 as a
manual for the police academy of Zhejiang province. The book was printed
by the publishing house Shan Wu in Shanghai.
The book includes
author’s portrait, Zhao Jiang’s preface (he is also known as Long Wen), introduction
and description
of
the
techniques
CHIN
NA
with
photos and detailed explanations. The techniques described
can be conventionally grouped
into eight parts. The first part is head holds2. The second part is neck holds. The third
part is shoulders
holds. The fourth
part is front, side and back holds. The
fifth side is torso and stomach holds. The sixth part is hand and wrist holds. The seventh part is fingers
holds. The eighth part is genitals and legs holds. Great attention is also paid to counter-actions if the enemy tries to carry out
some attacking
action.
At first this art (skill)
had several names: FENG JING FA – “The technique
of
separation (tearing) of muscles and sinews”; DI TANG FA – “Methods
of combat when lying on the ground”;
YU
GU
FA
–
“The
technique
of
dislocating (breaking out) of bones and joints” and CHIN NA FA – “The
technique of catch and hold.” At present the name CHIN NA FA has predominantly become established. Totally, there are 72 methods. The ancient
manuscript calls this skill DI SHA SHOU – “Devil’s
Hand.” This secret technique perfectly suits both for self-defense and defense of Motherland. It is essential for training military men and policemen.
Paragraph 1 QIAN ZHUA FA: Seizure
by the
hair from the front (variant
1).
This method is employed if the enemy standing
in front of you seized you by
the hair on the top of your head.
Paragraph 2 QIAN ZHUA FA: Seizure by the
hair from the front (variant
2).
This method is not a vital one for the people of today with their hair shortly cut or with a shaven
head like that one of the author of this
book.
This method is employed
when the enemy, as in the first case, standing in the
front, seized you by the hair on the top of your head.
Paragraph 3 HOU ZHUA FA: Seizure by the
hair from behind.
This method is very effective but when it is employed, it is necessary to take into account difference in height and build. Let’s consider
a case when a man, small and relatively weak from physical point of
view, encountered an enemy who is a head taller
and substantially stronger. In this case the small weak man, even if he takes
the position shown in photo
3, can not overpower
the enemy. Here some additional actions are required, for instance, it is possible to deliver an elbow blow
on his ribs or stoop and strike at his
genitalia. After that action the above method can be successfully used.
This method is used if the enemy standing behind seized you by the hair on
the back of your head.
Paragraph 4 DUAN DENG: Clasping a lamp.
It is very effective, though relatively dangerous (for your opponent) method. After becoming unconscious from violent
pain the enemy
goes into a coma, a man, being in this state for a long time, can die. Therefore, it is necessary
to know methods which can help him to go out
of that state. To employ that method effectively, one must have strong arms, specially
trained
fingers, otherwise it will be to no
purpose. When executing that method the second arm performs an auxiliary function.
This method is applicable to an enemy in any position
- standing, sitting
or lying one.
Paragraph 5 ZHUA LIAN:
Seizing by the face.
Photo 5 shows how to seize the enemy’s hand properly: it is necessary to seize and squeeze
his thumb with your little finger and the fourth
finger and press his hand to your chest with your palm. Grip and control of the enemy’s thumb is a key to effective employment of this method.
After execution of protective actions it is necessary to counter-attack
without delay, otherwise there is a risk of exposing your head to a
blow.
Point QU CHI:
This method is employed
when the
enemy is downright in front of you
and he is pushing you on your breast or seizing
your clothes.
This method is employed
when the
enemy is downright in front of you
and he is pushing you on your breast or seizing
your clothes.
Paragraph 6 ZHAI KUI: Taking
off the helmet.
When you employ this method, it is necessary
to act resolutely and fast,
otherwise the enemy can break
away.
The method is used when the enemy tries to wring your neck.
Paragraph 7 PU SHU: Catching a mouse.
To employ effectively this method, it is necessary to have sufficiently
strong fingers.
The method is employed when the enemy attacks from the front and tries to grapple your torso with his arms or to seize you by your waist belt.
Paragraph 8 AN TOU DUAN JING: Pressing on head and breaking
neck.
Two men showing methods
in photos 10 and 11 have a noticeable difference in height. Whether it was done deliberately or happened by chance,
but at any rate it reminds us once more that it is necessary
to take into account
height, build and physical strength of the enemy when using any technique in practice. Surely it does not mean that a man of small height always
loses, not at all. As a rule, men of small
height are more deft and move faster but it is necessary
to have sufficiently high level of skill to use this advantage. For example, in photo
10 the difference in height
is by a head. It will not be a simple
task for the man whose
height is lower to “cover” the eyes of the
enemy from behind. The same situation is shown in photo No. 11:
although the partner of small height has carried out a grip but he
30
himself already staggers. If the level of skill is not sufficiently high, that
position is quite dangerous for him.
The method is employed when the enemy attacks from the front,
moving forward resolutely.
Paragraph 9 AN TIAN GU: Pressing on the
celestial drum.
The method is usually
employed against a physically strong enemy. To carry it out, it is necessary to be behind the back of the enemy.
Paragraph 1 NIE SU: Squeezing the crop.
One of WU SHU proverbs says:
“If you have strength, go straight
forward, no strength – go
from a side”. It means the following: to attack the enemy frontally, it is necessary to have not only a higher level of skill
but good physical
conditions (a well-trained body) as well.
The method is employed in case
of a frontal attack of the
enemy if he punches or tries to seize by the head.
Paragraph 2 JIAN JIA BO: Squeezing with
arms from the front.
As a rule, WU SHU masters
seldom use such a technique as head
butts. However, when you are very close
to the enemy or there are evident flaws and faults in his actions, it is quite possible to strike at him
with a shoulder or the head.
The method is employed if the enemy butts you with his head in the region of the
chest or tries, after bending, to execute a grip of the lower part of your body.
Paragraph 3 HOU JIA BO: Squeezing with
arms from behind.
This method can be used
against an ordinary man who is not specially
trained. However, if opponents are equal in strength and skill, it is difficult to succeed.
This method is used for arresting a dangerous criminal to prevent
possible resistance or in hand-to-hand fighting
when one succeeds
in getting behind
the back of the enemy.
This method results in “temporary death”.
Paragraph 4 QIANG SUO
HOU:
Pinching
(blocking) the throat
from the front.
It is necessary to pay attention to the following:
this method should be used
either in case when the enemy does not expect
an attack or when
the detention is
carried out by a group of several men and during hand-to-hand fighting they succeeded in knocking the criminal down to
the ground.
This method is used
when
in
the
course
of
hand-to-hand fighting you
succeeded in toppling the enemy or when he is initially in a sitting
or lying position and does not expect
an attack.
Paragraph 5 HOU SUO HOU:
Pinching
(blocking) the throat
from behind.
Conditions of the employment of this method is similar
to the previous one: either in case when a criminal
does not expect
an attack or in
case when the detention is carried out by a group of several men and during hand-to-hand fighting they succeeded in toppling
the criminal down to the ground.
This method is used either in a right moment of a hand-to-hand struggle or if
initially the enemy is in a sitting
position and does not expect an attack.
Paragraph 6 BIE SHOU FENG HOU: Blocking
an arm and pinching the throat.
This method is aimed at blocking blood vessels
that feed the brain.
Therefore, it must not be used without
good reason.
The method is used when a criminal is arrested
to avoid noise or possible
resistance. In such a state the criminal can be brought to a required place and
reanimated there. The duration of “temporary death”
must not exceed
two hours.
Paragraph 7 LE JING DUAN BI: Squeezing
the neck and breaking an arm.
This method is used if in the course of hand-to-hand fighting the enemy fell down
to the ground. Two variants of executing the method are possible. In the first case the
neck
of
the
enemy
is squeezed, that leads
to
loss
of
consciousness and death.
In the second case pressure
is exerted on the arm,
that leads to its fracture.
Paragraph 8 JIAO JING: Grappling the neck
obliquely.
The method is used if during hand-to-hand fighting enemies fall down to the ground
or if since the start
the enemy is in a sitting or lying position.
Paragraph 1 DAO BI XIE JIAN: Pressing
an
arm, dislocating a shoulder.
The sketch shows the direction
of pressure on the wrist
during an initial phase of the method. As a result
of it the enemy will be forced to
fall dawn to the ground.
The method is used to arrest a criminal and allows to avoid possible
resistance.
Paragraph 2 KOU ZHOU:
Pressing on an elbow.
It should be pointed
out that a kick
at a knee is more
effective than that
one at a pelvic bone and it is more difficult to ward it off. In any case
coordinated actions of arms and legs need a good degree of training,
otherwise one can not overwhelm
one’s enemy.
This method is employed if the enemy seized
you by your clothes in the
shoulder region.
Paragraph 3 ZHUANG SHEN DUAN WAN:
Turning the torso and fracturing a wrist.
The correct grip of an enemy’s hand is the key point for controlling
over the whole arm of the enemy. If the method is executed correctly,
the shape of the enemy’s arm corresponds
to the following sketch:
This method is used if the enemy seizes you by your collar from the front.
Paragraph 1 QIAN PENG ZHOU: Pressing on
an elbow from the front.
As to technique this method is similar to the method CUI ZHOU – “Fracturing an elbow” (See section
4, paragraph 5, photo 34). The only difference is that in this case the location
of seizing is lower.
This method is used if the enemy seized you by your waist belt or clothes in the region of your waist.
Paragraph 2 HOU PENG ZHOU:
Pressing on an elbow
from the rear.
This method is used if the enemy, being behind your back, seized you by the waist
belt or clothes in the region of the waist.
Paragraph 3 DING WAN: Propping a wrist.
This method is used if the
enemy seized you by the waist belt or clothes in the region of the stomach from the front.
Paragraph 4 DUAN ZHOU: Raising an elbow.
This method is used if the enemy seized you by the waist belt, his hand with the
palm up.
KUA ZHOU: Linking your arm through enemy’s arm.
During the execution of this method force must be applied with a
jerk, you must act fast and unexpectedly for the enemy, in that case you can
fracture his elbow. It is dangerous to be slow.
This method is used if the
enemy seized you by your waist belt, his hand with the palm up.
Paragraph 6 LE WAN: Pressing on a wrist.
This method is used if the enemy seized you by the waist belt, the hand is with
the palm up.
Paragraph 7 DUAN YAO:
Fracturing
the
waist.
A possibility to carry out this method exists far from always, one must
have a good level of training and sufficient experience. Otherwise you will fail.
This method is not independent one, a chance
to use it must be prepared
through previous actions,
otherwise it is difficult to succeed. We kindly ask those
who exercise to pay attention
to this fact.
Paragraph 8 JIA YAO: Squeezing the waist.
It is necessary to have sufficient strength and have a good level of skill
for a successful use of this method.
Untrained people will hardly be able
to do it.
This is a case when a man, as it seems, is in a losing position,
uses it to his advantage and wins. If the enemy furiously rushes
at you and you have no
time to dodge, you feint falling down on the ground.
Paragraph 1 XIAO CHAN SI – Small hank of
thread.
When a bobbin rotates,
thread can be wound on it. That is the gist of the method. Two types of arm movements can be distinguished in this method: shuttle movement
and spiral-type
wrist movement.
This method is used if the enemy seized you by a wrist.
Paragraph 2 SHUANG CHAN SI
–
Double
hank of thread.
This method is used as a countermeasure against
the above-described method, i.e. when the enemy uses a counter-grip “Small hank of thread” against your grip.
Paragraph 3 DA CHAN
SI
–
Big
hank
of
thread.
This method is essentially similar to the method
“Small hank of thread”, but it allows to apply greater
force. Even if the enemy is
strong, his strength is compensated by lateral force of your elbow.
This method is used when you encounter a physically strong enemy and the method XIAO CHAN SI (“Small hank of thread”, paragraph 1) can be
ineffective against him.
Paragraph 4 QU ZHOU DUAN BI – Bending
an elbow and fracturing an arm.
Having mastered the method
“Big hank of thread” well, it will be easier
to acquire this method. Here the key to success also lies in elbow
work and a lateral force.
Method is used when the enemy delivers an arm blow downward from above.
Paragraph 5 KUA LAN – Carrying
a basket
by grappling it with an arm.
To use successfully this method, the key point is proper
location of the
point QU CHI on the elbow bend of the enemy, only then his elbow will be bent.
This method is used if the enemy tries to seize you by your clothes in the
region of the breast or for locking the arm of the enemy when he is arrested.
Paragraph 6 FU HU – Binding a tiger.
This method is used when a criminal is arrested.
To execute it, a hand of the enemy must be caught.
Paragraph 7 GUN ZHOU – Somersault over
the elbow.
This method is quite tough,
but its efficiency is significantly lower without somersault, additionally there is a risk that the enemy will manage to free himself.
This method is used when the enemy delivers a straight punch.
Paragraph 8 CHE CHI – Pulling
by the wing.
The key point here is an impact
on the wrist of the enemy and a
correct grip of his palm.
This method is used if the enemy tries to seize you by your clothes in the
region of the breast.
Paragraph 9 SI CHI – Tearing
the wing.
This method is used for a sudden arrest of the enemy who is going toward
you.
Paragraph 10 KANG ZHOU– Carrying an elbow on the shoulder.
When you use
this
method,
you
should
take
into
account
the
difference in stature.
This method is used when the enemy approaches from the front and delivers
a straight blow at your head.
Paragraph 11 JUAN QUAN – Wringing
a fist.
The gist of this method lies in quickness
of response and coordination of actions.
This method is used when the enemy approaches you from the front and punches from below upward.
Paragraph 12 LUO WAN – Clutching a wrist.
Here is the matter not only in skill and force:
it is necessary to know exactly the location
of acupuncture points.
The gist of this method is an impact on acupuncture points
which cause numbing.
They are twin points located
a little up the elbow,
on the lateral surfaces of the arm, one CUN (3.33 cm) from the point QU CHI. The method is
used if a criminal must be detained.
Paragraph 13 JIA SHAN – Squeezing with
the armpit.
Here the most important thing is quickness of response and skilful
movements, the stature
and strength of the enemy are of no great significance at that.
This method is used when the enemy attacks you with a straight punch from
the front in the region of the breast.
Paragraph 14 KOU QUAN – Covering a fist.
This method is used when the enemy has seized you by your sleeve.
Paragraph 15 CHENG ZHOU DUAN WAN –
Propping up an elbow and fracture a wrist.
The methods mentioned in paragraphs 15 and 16 can be successfully used
only by a well-trained combatant as one should be able to take
an advantageous
position
to
execute
them
but
it
needs
some
experience.
This method is used when if in the course of a fight both of combatants have fallen on the ground.
Paragraph 16 BE ZHOU – Squeezing an elbow.
This method is used to fracture
enemy’s elbow joint when in the course of a fight
he falls down or sits on the ground.
Paragraph 17 TI ZHOU – Propping up an
elbow.
It is somewhat
more difficult to use this method
than the method
“Covering a fist” shown in photo 77.
This method is used if the enemy has seized you by the sleeve.
Paragraph 18 YA ZHOU – Pressing
with an
elbow.
If the enemy seizes your right arm with his right hand, the method XIAO CHAN SI – “Small hank of
thread” (see part 6, paragraph
1) can be used. If
the enemy seizes your right arm with his left hand, this method will do.
Paragraph 19 PEN AN ZHOU – Squeezing an
elbow.
In this case it is necessary to take into account difference in stature.
This method is used if the enemy has seized you by your clothes in the region of
the waist.
Paragraph 20 JIA ZHOU
–
Clutching
an
elbow.
To use this method,
it is necessary to snatch convenient
time and act fast.
This method is used if the enemy fell down.
Paragraph 21 KUA MA – Straddling a horse.
It should be taken into account that this method
can be successfully employed if you take advantage of enemy’s confusion, otherwise it is
extremely difficult to do!
This method is used when the enemy has fallen to the ground in
the course of a combat.
Paragraph 22 FEN BI – Parting
apart arms.
This method is used when in the course of a combat the enemy has fallen on
the ground. Both arms of the enemy can be fractured by this method.
Paragraph 23 LE ZHOU
–
Unbending
an
elbow.
Here is considered a case when the enemy is lying on his side, which happens quite seldom. More often the enemy lies on his back and in
that case it is better
to kneel.
This method is used if in the course of a combat the enemy has fallen to the ground.
Paragraph 1 TIAO MA JIN: Pressing
on a
tendon to cause numbing.
Below are given four methods
(photo 87 – 90) which make it possible to free
oneself from a grip of the enemy. In all four cases pressure
is done by a thumb on the “tendon of numbing” on the hand of the enemy, due to it enemy’s fingers
unclench.
It is necessary to keep in mind points
location on the hand well, additionally it is necessary to have strong, well-trained fingers to be sure
of success.
1.1 TIAO MA JIN: Use of force at the tendon
to
cause numbing - the
first alternative.
1.2 TIAO MA JIN: Use of force at the tendon to
cause numbing - the
second alternative.
1.3 JIA HU
KOU: Pressing on HU KOU.
Explanations
The point HU KOU,
lit. “Tiger’s jaws”, lies in the space between the thumb and forefinger. If the
enemy stretches out his arm with the intention of seizing you, you must
immediately seize him by the wrist with one hand and press the tip of your
thumb of the other hand on the point HU KOU of the enemy. It is necessary to
press inward, on the tendon of his forefinger which is also a “tendon of
numbing”, with the tip of your thumb. Pressure must be strong to cause pain and
numbing in the enemy, in that case his hand will unclench.
1.4 DING QUAN
– Splitting a fist.
Explanations
The enemy stretches out his arm with the intention
of seizing you. You must immediately seize his arm by the wrist and press on the tendon between his middle and fourth fingers with the thumb of the other hand. It is necessary
to press forward with the thumb using force and pull back toward you with the
other arm. As a result
of it the whole arm of the enemy will become numb.
Paragraph 2 TUI ZHI – Pushing
a thumb.
This method is used when the enemy attacks from the front and delivers a punch.
It results in fracturing the thumb of the enemy.
Paragraph 3 JUAN ZHI: Bending a finger.
This method does not require
great effort and high level of skill.
It can be employed at any moment and in any situation. It is in strict conformity to the principle “to achieve the great with small effort”.
Paragraph 4 QIAN YANG: Pulling the ram.
This method must be executed deftly, smoothly
and at the same time
fast.
This method is used when the enemy strikes
you with an open palm on the face
or breast or stretches out his arm with the intention of seizing you.
Paragraph 5 FEN ZHI: Spreading fingers.
If this method is used, a fracture of enemy’s fingers will occur, he will
practically lose his ability to resist. Besides,
when arresting a criminal, the method can be used to escort
him and force him to go in a necessary direction.
Paragraph 1 ZHUA YIN: Seizing
by genitalia.
Grip for genital organs is a mortally dangerous method.
The position shown in the photo is somewhat simplified for the sake of convenient
photographing, it bears a weak resemblance to reality of an actual combat. However, the
methods
given below can be used very effectively. While striking
with two fingers, it is necessary to lean
a little forward and crouch so that your shoulders will be on the level of the enemy’s eyes or a little lower, in that case your blow will be the most destructive. At the same time your left hand must firmly seize the wrist of
the enemy and pull it down and toward yourself.
Paragraph 2 DUAN TUI: Breaking a leg.
Three methods described below are used during a combat in lying
position when both opponents
fell on the ground in the course
of a fight. When detaining a criminal,
it is necessary to take him alive, all three
methods are used just for that purpose. Perhaps, from the point
of view of WU SHU (the Martial
Art) those methods look somewhat
artificial and pretentious; as you know, the main thing in WU SHU is to
disable the enemy, the simpler
and faster the better.
But
those
methods can be indispensable for capture
of criminals.
Paragraph 3 ZUO TUI: Getting astride
a leg.
If in the coarse of a combat the enemy fell on the ground, it is possible to break
a leg with this method.
Paragraph 4 DENG TUI: Pushing
a leg.
\\
If in the course of a hand-to-hand combat you suddenly fell on the ground,
using this method, you will be able to win in the losing position, as it seemed to be.
Paragraph 5 DUAN ZU: Breaking an ankle.
This method is used if the enemy kicks standing or lying on the ground.
