ANDRE NOCQUET CHRONOLOGY

CUA Video's

ANDRE NOCQUET CHRONOLOGY

Born July 30th 1914 in Prahecq (deux-Sevres).


Studies at the Niort Secondary School and then at St Maixent College.

Beginning at the age of 17 in 1930, studies jujutsu with Assistant Director Raffier of the St Maixent Military School.

In 1932, Andre Nocquet begins a course in Paris for a teachers degree in Physical culture, Orthopedics,Massage and physical therapy with Doctor Dolto.

In 1936, he opens a school of physical culture and therapy in Angouleme and works in collaboration with the medical Corps.

In 1937,becomes a student of Professor Feldenkrais, founder of the jujutsu Club of France. Meets Japanese Judo Master Kawaishi, founder of French Judo and becomes his 17th student. Passes Judo and Self defence Black Belt examination receiving certificate no.27.

In 1939, Andre Nocquet joins the 404th Air Defence Regiment in Tours.

Taken prisoner in the battle of Dunkirk near Maloles-Bains. Escapes on October 1st 1943 from Stalag Vig in Cologne and returns to France.

Receives the service cross and Escapee Medal for his Military service.

In 1945 following the liberation of France, Nocquet is requested by the Bordeaux Police Department to supervise the training of its Judo and Jujutsu instructors.

In the same year he establishes the Bordeaux Judo Club and the Biarritz International Judo Seminar

In 1951, Nocquet studies Aikido under Minoru Mochizuki Sensei and then the year after with Tadashi Abe Sensei.

Through 1955, Nocquet works for the development of Judo and Jujutsu in the west and Southwest of France and trains most of the judo instructors of this region, assisting more than two hundred black belts to obtain instructor and teacher degrees.

In 1955, through the intermediary of Tadashi Abe Sensei, Nocquet is invited to Japan by the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba Sensei. Prior to his departure, meets with
Mr Georges Duhamel of the French Academy, who contributed to the signing of the Franco-Japanese culture agreement. Duhamel assigns Nocquet the task of studying in Japan both Aikido and unknown Japanese methods of kinesitherapy, massage and physical therapy such as shiatsu, seitaijutsu and the theories of the famous Japanese teacher, Katsuzo Nishi.

Upon arrival in Japan, Nocquet is received by Mrs Tatsuko, Head of one of the International Cultural Relations Offices, who introduces him to Mr Matsuo Kuni,
Assistant editor-in-chief of theYomiuri Newspaper.

At the end of 1955, Morihei Ueshiba Sensei, founder of Aikido, formally assigns Nocquet the task of introducing Aikido to the foreign embassies in Tokyo.
Nocquet gathers together all of the cultural attaches of the various embassies at the
Aikikai Hombu Dojo on September 28th 1955 and gives a lecture demonstration on the spiritual and technical aspects of Aikido.

The Embassy Advisor, Mr C D’Aumale, cultural affairs charge at the French Embassy, requests excerpts from this lecture for publication in the monthly information bulletin of the Embassy.

At the end of 1957, Nocquet receives instructor’s certification (shidoin) from the Aikikai Hombu and a self defence certificate from Kenji Tomiki Sensei, Head of the Instructional department of the Kodokan (Japan Judo Headquarters). Nocquet also receives a certificate from Doctor Namikoshi, President and founder of the Tokyo International Shiatsu school. Doctor Katsuzo Nishi asks Nocquet to introduce his health method to the official French Massage and Physical Therapy organizations.

At the beginning of 1958, Nocquet travels to the U.S. were he gives Aikido seminars and demonstrations to special self-defence instructors of the Fresno Police department (California)

In the summer of 1958, Nocquet returns to France and reports to Georges Duhamel the results of his studies.

Duhamel requests him to undertake research at the National Library on the Martial Arts of the western European countries since the 15th Century in order to make a comparative study with Japanese Techniques. He then submits a report on this subject to the Japanese Ministry of education through the Japanese Embassy in France.

On April the 16th 1962, Nocquet receives from the founder of Aikido Morihei Ueshiba Sensei, the title of general representative of the World Aikido Headquarters for France.

In 1971, with the assistance of several foreign teachers, he establishes the European Aikido Union.

Conducts courses for several years for the National Parachutist Union, and the National Police, and demonstrates the principles of middle-distance combat at the St-Maixent Military School.

The French Ministry of Youth and Sports solicits his participation on a consultation committee for the creation of the State Aikido Instructors diploma.

Over the course of several years, Nocquet gives lectures in France and Europe on the spirit of none violence stressing the themes of International assistance and friendship.

Receives a certificate from the Cancer Research Development association in recognition of his support of its activities.

On July 10th 1982, Nocquet as President of the European Aikido Union is named Knight of the National Order of merit for exceptional services rendered to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

On July 30th 1985, Nobuyoshi Tamura and Andre Nocquet Sensei meet in order to establish the basis for the unification of Aikido in France.

In April 1990, Nocquet returns to Japan after an absence of 33 years to present Aikido Doshu Kisshomara Ueshiba a Gold Medal on behalf of the French Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Andre Nocquet 30 July 1914 – 12 March 1999