Guy Sahri: When you were younger think you have this vision?
Christian Tissier:
Oh no, not because I was part of system and I did not recoil from my own experience. I am a simple man; I was raised in the 20th district of Montreuil and in Paris region. This was not a suburb especially favored at the time. We lived in a council flat; it was not the same violence that is currently in the suburbs that's for sure. Perhaps because now it became older, old « fool »! (Laughter)...
I think ultimately it's another world and that is not part of this world physically but mentally yes there are things that escape us entirely, we cannot understand. We can do nothing... That's true with everything that happens; it looks like another planet sometimes!
« Another reflection is… »
Guy Sahri: Do you believe that Aikidō could bring significant social change as it is for football which was very popular in the world?
Christian Tissier:
It is true that football was very popular, but does that mean that it brings social change in itself I do not know. At density of practitioners is obvious that it brings a lot this would be perfect if there were that many people in stadiums is unfortunately not always the case. Is this discipline that generates as many practitioners, hardly likely... Aikidō is practiced by a population focused, not anyone, it is not trivial. Why? I think that's how we must accept. There are serious studies that have been made to this topic... Obviously I feel social categories. This logic is somewhere! Aikidō as Martial Art that is not itself competitive, which is not « too » Martial Art now and not based on « I'm going to knock anyone yet… » does obviously not attract a mass of people feeling... It is a practice long term. This is another reflection occurs. Consider an example in France Aikidō is enormous. This represents over 70 000 practitioners. In the world there are not as many practitioners. I even think that in Brazil they are almost at maximum, from 7000 to 8000 Aikidoka practitioners. This is a fascinating country with more than 199 million residents!
« Art of peace… »
Guy Sahri: Incredibly, what do you think of Aikidō competitions taking place in some Brazilian states, whereas the base is a non-competitive art, an Art of peace?
Christian Tissier:
I went to Brazil several times conduct seminars I've noticed and seen competitions Aikidō anonymously and I can tell you it's wrong damn, even incomprehensible!
Aikidō at base is an Art of defense an Art of peace. From moment that there is an attack on the question of how we will defend. We cannot satisfy a technical walk through on how physical qualities such as strength or speed in a race. There is also spiritual aspect in practice is not to « throw out »!
I remember what was said Sensei Shoji Nishio, 8th Dan, unfortunately disappeared today that « Aikidō was yurusu Budō, Budō forgiveness ». And that is it more than anything else, is a specificity of Aikidō. The concept of integrity, respect vis-à-vis the other. So why not, there may be competitions Aikidō as there are competitions in karate kata, as there are figure skating competitions, only what it considers a technique, body movement, choreography or efficiency? Are all these issues agree? Someone will he be able to judge, for example, power, stability, real meaning clear, work the hips etc. It is obvious that some people may find these techniques that I have no doubt, but Aikidoka cannot judge here. And often it is « the » question that does not arise or that it does not really arise. Finally did we really need competition to exist?
Guy Sahri: Would you agree a competition that pays?
Christian Tissier:
I think that's everyone's problem whether it is no coincidence that poor countries are better in boxing or if it is not rather because a group of people in employment law require very low eating to dress, how to live! It is something very delicate and also very complex. That is the problem actually. For me when I was young I played competitively before practice Aikidō I made a few battles but I have not joined any... This made me realize that this is not a kick or punch that settles a dispute, it gave me perspective, understand that the bag is the only one who does not blows, even if an opponent is weakest one never knows what may fall on you. True it gave me some confidence another open mind. But to me 40 years to make me tap it, or tap someone for the competition! I think if some do it because they really need and they have no alternative. I have absolutely nothing against these people as soon as their motive is really « honorable ». I know someone who does to feed his family, I understand perfectly! But I do not understand one who goes to « violence » for glory without merit! This is not direction of change in my opinion. But figuratively I'm not a pacifist but he must put things in their places, there is still some violence in pacifism...
« There was something… »
Guy Sahri: In recent years you find that the spiritual and technical education has evolved among practitioners, Clubs and Federations?
Christian Tissier:
At some point in 1960, technical aspect was often neglected by comparison with spiritual aspect, there was not much research in this sense, there was not this magical sense in practice. But there was something! There is no magic! You can acquire principle of Aikidō, Judo, Karate, if you accept a physically discipline the body; it is the same for meditation, Zen. Somewhere there has not chosen a contemplative discipline. It is we who choose our own discipline and physical body as a medium as a tool to possibly discover something spiritually and mentally. We cannot deny technical aspect. We cannot deny appearance of sensations of a certain state of being. If not this technical issue, it cannot be opening really felt about everything that is « other » than technique. From I think it would be better to take a book is easier to understand!
« There will always be people who will tell you… »
Guy Sahri: What do you fear most about these organizations?
Christian Tissier:
I fear nothing special; we need a club, association, Federation because it progresses more quickly when it is large. It is a matter of organization, insurance etc... It's obvious now that nothing is perfect. There will always be people who will say they are more or less influential at head of Federations which may somehow influence practice, such as competitions. For example, a president who decided overnight to make competition for a number of reasons media. Regarding this, I think that some vigilance is necessary but I do not think there is a particular danger. I think there is more danger that Federation does not suit me, to create another and isolate myself completely. It may be likely to leave, and to groups in his corner, it isolates people. Here is my opinion. In France there are two Aikidō Federation, this is exceptional! In fact, when largest group was Fédération Française de Judo – FFJ, we had to venture out to become autonomous as Karate, to create a single Aikido Federation. Some people had felt that this was not the time. Other people agreed to leave but when there was this separation of Judo that has not been in very good condition. There were many political problems and those like myself have decided to stay and see it coming. From there, there were two Federations are totally worthy. This is another slightly different structure of our French Federation that favors multiple sensitivities while Federation is another aspect in a hierarchical top-Sensei is Mr. Nobuyoshi Tamura, 8th Dan Aikikai of Tokyo and Delegate So Aikikai Hombu for Europe. This person is all-in-fact worthy. We do not have the same modus operandi. It is true that a certain point of view, we isolated our technique is different even if it remains the same practice for everyone. I hope this will resolve...
Guy Sahri: Have you had problems you hear in life and especially by politicians?
Christian Tissier:
(Laughters) I have had no difficulty, because I did not ask. Since I did not specifically contacts in politics I've never really tried. Whether with Deputy and Senators not, for cons with a mayor for my Dojo I am led somewhere. But I really never asked anything in return...
« It tells the loser… »
Guy Sahri: Do you believe that Aikidō is also an ethic of responsibility?
Christian Tissier:
Certainly. But it is not Aikidō, which I think we can try to empower people through practice. It's a game; it brings practitioner to take responsibility by placing it in front of a constraint that must find the solution. This empowers us from ourselves to address this constraint and in relation to a partner, which is very interesting. In Aikidō there is no competition like I said earlier there is no competition, it is a role playing game, but it is only discipline where 50% of time it is going lose...
In Aikidō, we learn the loser, which is not the case in other disciplines where we learn the Fair Play is a very good feeling is normal. In fact we learn to « be » in condition of one who loses has a responsibility...
Guy Sahri: Think you that joined this that Ô Sensei Morihei Ueshiba demonstrated by his humility and self-acceptance?
Christian Tissier:
Humility is a double edged sword especially in conflict situations. The most important thing to be what it is neither more nor less and to accept this position. I think that's the hardest...
Guy Sahri: You feel more free from contingencies of this world?
Christian Tissier:
I feel pretty good. I can say that I am someone beaming. My life for me. The only thing I can fear is that people who are dear to me go and disappear before me. Otherwise yes, I am a privileged... at all points of view.
« But there are ties very, very strong… »
Guy Sahri: And instead of the family in all this?
Christian Tissier:
The family is very important. My father has disappeared, unfortunately, my children, the person with whom I live now, obviously my ex wife, Micheline, are obviously family. But there is also the family in broadest sense, friends I've known for 20, 30 or 40 who are still present, which are always faithful in difficult times. I would say there is no family relationship within the meaning of genealogy, but there are links very, very strong. The most important thing is not to live alone. More will be in responsibility as a teacher of Martial Arts, more you feel it would be a patriarch. We love when there are many people around, especially when it's your family when your children are coming to ask your advice, attention and closer to finally feel comfortable with you. From everything is possible and we know that somewhere it has succeeded...
« It was a fabulous human being... »
Guy Sahri: This amounts to question I asked you early on Ô Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, what you have done this to meet, if you had had chance?
Christian Tissier:
(Laughters) I think you're right, maybe now I am ready to meet him. And it's certainly a very important question because I ask myself quite often anyway... For example when I give a course to a young child or teenager, it's hello to picture, I can explain why he should bow before this image but, in fact, that is she? An old gentleman with an old beard that is not even French, which may be 10 times older than his own grandfather who died there over 50 years. What it will be in a hundred years! Maybe he should find something more modern and more accessible for future generations. Ô Sensei Morihei Ueshiba was not God, it was a fabulous human being! It is still relative, put things in perspective. He owes much, that's for sure. We must always have something to someone who existed before, this is also Japanese culture. « Keïko » kanji in Japanese is « the thread that binds us ». When we practice during training is this thread that connects us to all those who came before us there are over 1000 years. That continuity, it continues to weave the thread that will connect the generations through our practice...
Guy Sahri: What do you think of this quote: « God looks clean hands, no hands full »?
Christian Tissier:
(Laughters) I think it would have to think about it, because it's really a philosophical essay... God looks clean hands... (Silence)
I think we could ask whether God exists. And where? Does God alone is man, man is it me, unpretentious, and so do I myself look clean hands rather than their hands full. It is true that a certain side I also like having their hands full but it satisfies me more to have clean hands in purity of gesture. I do not consider influences mystics because for me there is none. Aikidō is something I do for a very long way so all of a natural. Somewhere, actually, I work with my body but I am not a sport, I practice more discipline, perhaps even with hands full, but Aikidō is something fantastic and it's purity by the gesture that remains outstanding...
« Birdsong… »
Guy Sahri: Finally I invite you to answer these 10 questions. In fact, I often look at Actors' Studio with James Lipton, and is truly a moment I love is the famous questionnaire at the end of broadcast of French Bernard Pivot « Bouillon de Culture » well on your answer if you wish:
What is your favorite word?
I love you...
What is your least favorite word?
Damn!
What is your favorite drug?
A glass of champagne.
What sound or noise do you love?
Birdsong.
What sound or noise do you hate?
The noise of city.
What is your favorite curse word?
Damn… (Laughter)
Who would you like to see on a new banknote?
If a man or a woman that I do not care...
What profession other than your own would you not like to attempt?
(Silence for several minutes)... The job of my father!
If you were reincarnated as some other plant or animal, what would it be?
An orchid.
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Welcome... Christian!
