Ito’s White Tiger offers classes in Kempo Karate, Tai Chi and Weapons, including Jo/Staff, Escrima, Katana, and Broadsword. Kick boxing conditioning classes are also available.
We are open 6 days a week with flexible hours and offer private, semi-private, group or special needs classes in addition to our regularly scheduled classes.
Instruction available for all ages and levels of experience.
Foundation of instruction is based on discipline of the mind, body and spirit while learning fitness, self-defense, and physical conditioning.
For the children, this helps develop confidence, respect and self-esteem. The appropriate mix of martial arts and martial exercises enable the children to develop these attributes to succeed in life as adults.
Adults, whether beginner or experienced in other studies, will be challenged by Mr. Ito’s philosophies and conceptual studies that go back thousands of years to the historical records of China and India.
History
Established in 1984
Mr. Ito, the 1980 AAU All American Full Contact Champion, opened Ito’s White Tiger, Novato, CA in 1984, after working with East-West Kempo Karate for 10 years as General Manager for 11 schools. Mr. Ito, a 6th Dan, holds instructor’s certification in Kosho Shorei Shin Shing Ryu Kempo under Hanshi Paul I. Yamaguchi. In 1997, Grandmaster Bing Fai Lau, who sought to unify the martial arts and who is looked upon as the mentor of many martial artists in Hawaii, asked Mr. Ito to carry on his Tai Chi Chuan teachings.
Additionally, Mr. Ito has been influenced by Hanshi Paul Yamaguchi and Professor Imi Okazaki-Mullins (Kodenkan Jujitsu pioneer). He has trained in Latosa Escrima, earning his Master Level 1 certificate from Grandmaster Rene Latosa in 2016. Mr. Ito was presented with the title of Grandmaster by Grandmaster Ming Lum of the Chinese Athletic Arts Academy of Hawaii in 2007. The City of Novato’s Multicultural Commission has honored Mr. Ito for his continuing community service.
Meet the Business Owner: ROBERT ITO
Robert Ito Renshi
Instructor in Kempo, Karate, Tai Chi Chuan at Ito’s White Tiger, in Novato since 1984.
The Grandmasters of this Fortunate Student are: Grandmaster Bing Fai Lau, Grandmaster Al Novak, Hanshi Paul Yamaguchi, Grandmaster Ming Lum, Professor Imi Okazaki-Mullins, Grandmaster Mike Young, Hanshi Thomas Young, and Grandmaster Rene Latosa. These masters have all greatly influenced my progress in the Universal Studies.
I also specialize in working with students 12 years and under, teaching them discipline, respect, and self-defense.