Before sensei Edo and Anne became students of Yoshimitsu Yamada shihan, they were direct students of French grandmaster Christian Tissier for about eight years. Also known for his elegant 'Tissier Style'. Partly thanks to him, they started their own dojo in Veldhoven.
Born in Paris on 7 February 1951. Christian Tissier was 11 years old and practised the sport of Judo. After Judo, he taught Aikido, to about three or four men. In Aikido, you didn't have to be strong that's why he wanted to give it a try. This is how he started in 1962.
His first Aiki teacher was Tavernier Sensei. After three months, Nakazono Sensei came to Paris from Japan and Christian Tissier started training with him. Nakazono Sensei was an important Sensei in Christian Tissier's eyes at that time. He had tremendous charisma and practised many martial arts. Nakazono Sensei taught him spiritual things like meditation, besides Aikido.
After his final exams in 1969, he left for faraway Japan. Christian Tissier was 18 at the time. He attended all classes. The Doshu was his main teacher; he went there every day. He had nothing at all in Japan; no family and no home, but was later well looked after by friends of Yamaguchi Sensei.
Eventually, he lived in a flat opposite the Doshu's house and dojo.
Among others, Endo Sensei was his *senpai. Furthermore, he was influenced by Osawa Sensei and Yamaguchi Sensei. Yama- guchi Sensei was very human as a person. He was very flexible even at an old age.
Yamaguchi Sensei spoke only about what Aikido is and the message of the techniques. 'Aikido is the search for the ideal of perfection of the self', was his conviction. It was Yamaguchi Sensei who introduced Christian Tissier to Minoru Inaba, a Kenjutsu Sensei. Christian
Tissier was very impressed by this man's demonstration. Sensei Minoru himself trained a lot with the sword but taught almost no classes. He had the principle: "If you start something, you have to see it through to completion".
He said to Christian Tissier;
"If you are still here after six months, I would like to think about teaching you." Christian Tissier ended up training with him for 7 years.
In 1976, Christian Tissier returned to France, only later opening his own dojo in Paris, which still sits in the same location to this day.
Interested in other Aikido grandmasters? Then read on here...
Sensei Christian Tissier is a prominent figure in the world of Aikido, known for his impressive demonstrations that put Aikido on the map as an art form. His style, often referred to as 'Tissier style', is famous for the large, elegant and dynamic movements. (See video below.) Although enthusiasts use this term, sensei Tissier himself emphasises that his techniques are rooted in the Aikikai tradition.
Edo sensei on an internship in France with sensei Christian Tissier
Anne sensei as uke of sensei Christian Tissier
Anne and Edo sensei take 1st kyu exam. With grandmaster Christian Tissier in Paris at his private dojo.
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