WA = harmony GO = to meet KAN = a place
Wagokan Aikido Suren Dojo in Osaka, Japan was founded in 1966 by Masao Yamano sensei at the suggestion of his teacher, the founder of Aikido Morihei Ueshiba, "O-sensei".
Masao Yamano sensei enjoyed a close relationship with O-sensei, many times O-sensei initiated the phone calls to meet Yamano sensei for one on one practice.
Yamano sensei was already an accomplished martial artist; he earned the traditional Kyoshi rank in Daito-Ryu Aiki Jujutsu, he also practiced Judo, Karate, and Aikido.
By 1963 he also received an 8th Dan rank in Aikido and on the same year O-sensei awarded him a special (one of a kind) certification. On this it says that Yamano sensei has reached the highest grade in Takemuso Aiki Kata No Nai Aikido.
Today his son, Koho Yamano sensei, has dedicated himself on following his father's teachings and O-sensei's path of Kata No Nai Aikido, (Aikido free from rigid form, created by natural body movements).
Wagokai Federation is affiliated to the Aiki Kai World Foundation, Hombu Dojo Tokyo, Japan.