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leanUp Kitsune is a volunteer, Japanese inspired, environmental performance art designed to generate waste awareness through culture and creativity. CleanUp Kitsune can be found at parks, events and various gatherings, collecting trash and littering kindness.

CleanUp Kitsune is nonverbal, creating a unique experience for the senses. They utilize gestures to
communicate kindness, which can be understood in any language. Equipped with kitsune (ki-tsu-neh)
masks, bamboo basket backpacks and armed with trash pickers, they walk around events in costume,
cleaning up litter, pushing down trash bins, applauding for proper waste disposal, sharing sustainable
stickers, taking pictures with people & interacting with polite tomfoolery. Following most events, CleanUp
Kitsune details the experience, trash collections and recommendations for litter mitigation of each location on social media and includes posts of selfies with friends made along the way.

Since their launch in June of 2023, CleanUp Kitsune has since grown to encompass environmental
media, waste organization stations, The Happi Helpers Volunteer Program, host local cleanups like
Cosplay Cleanup, created up-cycled goods and have began partnering with businesses and organizations to generate consumer awareness. At the time of writing, CleanUp Kitsune has removed, sorted and responsibly disposed of approximately 45,900 pieces/282 lbs of litter and diverted over 2,000lbs of trash from landfills through their collection and waste organization stations. These two have cleaned up events like Comic Con, Renaissance Faires, Farmers Markets, Oktoberfest, Holiday Markets, Japanese Festivals, Environmental Events and can be found at Nisei Week LA, OC Japan Fair, Taste of Japan, and of course at their home location, The Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum in San Diego and all throughout Balboa Park, cleaning up litter and helping make outdoor events more waste aware.

Behind the masks. Creators Lila & Corey Cleary-Stoner are both full time environmentalists in San Diego
California. They are the co-founders of Allgoods, a 501c3 environmental media company. They are both
actors and have backgrounds in theatre, film, voiceover, music and education. With an affinity for
Japanese culture, they initially created elements of these costumes for Renaissance Faires. While
attending, they noticed how commonly trash was left behind and walked over by the public. Inspired by
their environmental nonprofit Allgoods, they further developed this creative solution that could speak to
consumerism in ways words cannot reach.

“Each of us have a responsibility to one another & our environment to keep our shared spaces clean. But
personally, we are happy to clean up after others. We are grateful we are able to give back in such a
unique way. People see us for the first time and we certainly capture their attention. They don’t quite know what to expect but often the moment they see us cleaning up trash, we capture their heart. It’s like
smiling, if you see someone smile aren’t you likely to smile back? Litter collecting can be contagious in
that way too.” -Lila & Corey

JJ

a formidable force in the world of Sumo Wrestling. With a solid foundation in Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, JJ embarked on his sumo journey in 2016, fueled by a desire that had been kindled since 2007. Despite facing challenges in finding a suitable school, JJ’s determination led him from San Diego to the renowned LA Sumo club, where he honed his skills and made history.

In 2020, JJ proudly participated in his first sumo competition, marking the beginning of a remarkable ascent. The following year, he secured an impressive 2nd place finish at the nationals, followed by a triumphant 1st place victory at the North America Qualifiers. Taking his prowess to the global stage, JJ proudly represented his country at the esteemed world games in 2022. Accompanied by his equally talented wife, Christina Jones, who secured a commendable 2nd place, JJ and Christina became the first and only married couple to compete in Sumo at the world games.

JJ’s passion, dedication, and string of achievements make him an awe-inspiring presence in the sumo arena. Follow his journey as he continues to shape the future of this ancient and captivating sport. 

In addition to his impressive accomplishments, JJ has also made a profound impact on the world of Sumo through his visionary leadership. Recognizing the need to foster the growth of the sport and introduce sumo to the Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu communities, JJ founded Honu Sumo.

Honu Sumo stands as a testament to JJ’s unwavering commitment to expanding the reach of Sumo Wrestling in the United States and beyond. By bridging the gap between these martial arts disciplines, JJ has created a platform that not only promotes the rich tradition of sumo but also provides an avenue for practitioners of Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to explore and embrace this captivating sport.

Through Honu Sumo, JJ’s efforts have propelled the popularity of sumo, captivating enthusiasts and inspiring new generations of athletes. His forward-thinking approach has opened doors and created opportunities for Sumo to flourish on a global scale, fostering cultural exchange and unity among practitioners.

Join JJ and the Honu Sumo community as they continue to champion the growth and exposure of sumo, sharing its unique beauty and timeless values with people around the world.

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amishibai was invented Tokyo in 1929 to present stories to children on street-corners.  Little wooden “theatres” were mounted on the back of bicycles which storytellers rode from corner to corner (and in the countryside, from village to village).  The kamishibai-man clapped his wooden hyoshigi to announce his arrival.  Children rushed to enjoy his stories…and to buy his candies. Those who purchased his candy sat in the front row.  The stories were free. 

Kamishibai grew rapidly nationwide, spawning competing syndicates that produced a steady supply of stories to thousands of kamishibai-ya (kamishibai storytellers) in every corner of Japan.  It has been estimated that by 1938 there were as many as 50,000 kamishibai storytellers entertaining a million children a day.

During World War II, kamishibai was used by the government to disseminate propaganda.  Because it moved easily even into bomb-shelters and devastated neighborhoods, kamishibai provided information and entertainment for both adults and children.

After the war, kamishibai remained robust until television reached Japan in 1954.  In fact, television in Japan was called denki-kamishibai (or “electric kamishibai”).  Suddenly kamishibai audiences dwindled.  But as the number of street kamishibai decreased, the use of kamishibai in classrooms and libraries increased.  

Today kamishibai in Japan is experiencing a resurgence.  Many Japanese people have made it an avocation.  They regularly perform kamishibai stories outdoors in parks and festivals.  Others take kamishibai right into department stores to find an audience.  This renewed energy is not limited to Japan.  In more than 50 other countries – as diverse as Slovenia, Morocco, and Peru – kamishibai is being used to entertain and educate.