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Author : Sheng Liu Jin
Title : Skill of catch and hold
Year : 1936

Link download : Sheng_Liu_Jin_-_Skill_of_catch_and_hold.zip

The book “CHIN NA FA” 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. The author of the book, Liu Jin Sheng, was born in the province of Shandong. In his preface he writes: “In my childhood my grandfather (my mother’s father) gave me an ancient manuscript book. I drilled during three years using pictures of the book and at that time I did not become aware of the true value of that book. Then I happened to learn under the guidance of the famous master of the North Wang Zi Ping as well as over twenty other great masters. I drilled in various kinds of Martial Arts during more than twenty years. With certain experience behind me, I can say that the ancient manuscript preserved by my grandfather is priceless heritage of our National Martial Art.” Techniques of CHIN NA include a wide set of various movements: press and blows on vulnerable points, grappling, strangling, throws and so on. That set of movements (impacts on the enemy) allows to realize the following methods: “Separation (tearing) of muscles and sinews” (FENG JING), “Dislocating (breaking out) of bones and joints” (YU GU), “Suffocation” (BI QI) and “Impacting on points” (DIAN XUE). Also, those methods must be used skillfully, not just with brute force. Both army and police always attached great importance to this art. The introduction to the book says: “Initially this skill had several names: FENG JING FA – “The technique of separation (breaking) of muscles and sinews”; DI TANG FA – “Methods of combat when lying on the ground”; YU GU FA – “The technique of dislocation (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.” Specialists in WU SHU say there are 36 “big” and 72 “small” points on a human body. 36 positions, 72 positions and 108 positions (techniques) are also marked out in CHIN NA FA. That traditional division has been maintained till now since long time when our ancestors created the theory of CHIN NA on the basis of the conception 36 TIAN GANG4 and 72 DI SHA5. But actually, that is only a tribute to tradition that has no great practical significance. ...