Dr Guillaume Erard began practicing budo in France at the age of six. Inspired by his mentor, Christian Tissier Shihan, he moved to Tokyo to train intensively at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, serving as uke for many of the top instructors. After ten years of apprenticeship, he relocated to Yokohama and founded his own dojo, a rare achievement for a foreigner. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of 6th dan by the head of Aikido Worldwide, Ueshiba Moriteru Doshu.

Guillaume served as the Director of Information for the International Aikido Federation, and he currently sits on the board of directors of the Kanagawa Prefecture Aikido Federation. He regularly teaches seminars and masterclasses in Japan and abroad.

Guillaume is a 5th dan instructor and the official representative outside Japan of Chiba Tsugutaka Shihan, director of the Takumakai and of the Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu Shikoku Hombu Dojo. He has trained and promoted several Daito-ryu black belt practitioners in France.

Guillaume is a prolific author for martial arts magazines and books both in Japan and internationally. He notably worked with Tissier Shihan on his latest book.

He holds an MSc in Education Sciences and a PhD in Molecular Biology.