20/05/2026
Emilio Cardia (Technical Director and founder of the Aikikai Corsico dojo) and Lorenzo Casadei (Director of the Aikido magazine and Kodomo no Aikido - the magazine for kids of the Aikikai of Italy) had the pleasure to interview Terumasa Hino Shihan, the guest instructor of the International Youth Aikido Seminars in Italy 2025 and soon France 2026:
Q: Good morning, Hino Sensei, and thank you for agreeing to answer our questions! Can you tell us a little about yourself? (Place and date of birth, when you started practicing Aikido, where, who was your first teacher and other information)
A: I was born on December 11, 1983. I entered university at 18 and began practicing Aikido by joining the university club. Osawa Hayato Shihan of the Aikido Hombu Dojo came to teach at the university club once a week, so he was my first Aikido teacher. I joined the Hombu as an instructor at the age of 24. After living and training there for about four years, I now teach beginner and children classes at the Hombu Dojo, as well as at university and high school clubs and middle schools in Tokyo.
Q: When did you decide to dedicate your life to teaching Aikido? Was there a particular event that led you to take this step?
A: I wanted to practice more, not teach, and the result of my commitment is that I’m now a Hombu instructor. I wasn’t sure I could measure up to such excellent instructors, but I also wanted to be close to them and be inspired by them, who are not only expert in ukemi techniques and moves, but also have great personalities.
Q: Last year (2025), you were in Italy for the IAF International Training Camp; had you ever been to Italy? What did you enjoy most?
A: It was my first time in Italy. Obviously, the most enjoyable part was sweating with everyone during training. I also enjoyed walking before, after and between seminar classes. I really appreciated the nature around the venue. I also stayed in Milan and Turin during the trip and was fascinated by the places that blend traditional architecture and modern fashion. I was also thrilled to see the electric Fiat 500, a car you don’t see in Japan. It’s so cute!
Q: All the students who attended the camp were very impressed with your teaching method; what were your feelings when you saw so many students from so many different countries, whom you too were seeing for the first time?
A: I realized that nationality and age are no obstacle to the desire to fully commit. There were students who actively trained, and others who, despite being shy, secretly harbored a great passion and gave it their all.
Q: Overall, how did you rate the level of preparation of the European students?
A: I had the impression that the students who attended the seminar were of a high standard. In particular, the young people training in the center of the group seemed to push the limits of what they ”understand”, ”know” and ”can”, constantly striving to understand the practice and what they needed to be aware of.
Q: Do you have any advice for them regarding their growth in Aikido?
A: I would like the kids to simply enjoy practicing Aikido. I’d like them to be strict with themselves and kind to others. To spread the fascination of Aikido, I believe it’s best to first become someone who arouses interest. I think it’s important to refine your techniques and ukemi skills, while also improving your personality.
Q: Next summer, you’ll be returning to Europe, near Nice, France, for another edition of the IAF International Youth Aikido Seminar, where you’ll meet many of the young people you met last year. What do you expect from them and from this new workshop?
A: I understand the desire to train with someone of the same age and ability, but I’d like to organize a mixed training session, where the young people train attentively with the younger ones, and the younger ones actively engage in training with the younger ones. It’s extremely difficult, but I saw it done at the seminar in Italy, so I can’t help but keep it in mind. I also hope the students will use their imagination to understand what I’m trying to convey, despite my less than perfect English.
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