Wado Kai is a Japanese form of martial arts characterized by an emphasis on body management and harmony. The practitioner moves with the attack instead of against it, in order to cause harm to neither himself nor the attacker.

Wado kai is one of the four major groups of karate representing a blend of traditional karate and Japanese jujitsu. The term wado means "the way of peace and harmony" and uses principals of speed, body movement, and evasion as its core. Wado kai emphasizes moving with, rather than moving against an opponent. While in most martial arts it is said that a good attack is the best defense, it could be argued that Wado kai follows the opposite: a good defense is the best attack.

The goal of Wado kai is to teach students effective methods to move with the attacks.

Wado Kai was created in 1938 by Hirionori Ohtsuka and registered with the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai as a style of karate. It was originally named "Shinshu Wadoryu Karate-Jujutsu," but was later shortened to Wado-ryu. In 1964 the Japan Karatedo Federation was established as a general organization for all karate styles and that same year Wado-ryu joined the organization as a major group. It was not until 1967 that the organization changed the name to the current wado kai.

Harmony is deeply rooted into Wado kai training. Beginning students are taught the principle techniques and forms of Wado kai and as they progress through the training, are taught more advanced techniques. Students are taught principles of speed, body movement, and evasion in order to move with an opponent and aggressively attack.

Do - way

Ryu - style

Wa - peace, harmony

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wad%C5%8Dkai