Celebrate Lunar New Year in San Jose Japantown, February 10 from 11:00am-2:00pm.

2024 is the year of the wood dragon. According to the Chinese elemental theory, each zodiac sign is linked to one of the five main elements: Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, or Earth. The Wood Dragon, like all other elemental Dragons, comes once in 60 years. People born in the Year of the Wood Dragon are considered to be extremely creative and inquisitive beings, who like to explore many different paths in life which results in them being very open and liberal.

Help us start a fresh New Year “Fukubukuro” "lucky bag," a Japanese New Year custom in which merchants make grab bags filled with unknown random contents and sell them for a substantial discount, usually 50% or more off the list price of the items contained within.

Participating businesses will create mystery bags for patrons to cleanse and make room for new items in 2024. You can’t see what see what’s inside these bags because they’re sealed. But the fun part is, these bags are filled with surprises.

You might pay $25 for a bag, but the goods inside could be worth $50 or more! Have fun and support all the local retail businesses!

Visit us on Saturday and pick up some Empire Seven Studios products!

Important note: Fireworks are tradition during Lunar New Year and scheduled for 12pm. We regret any disturbance caused by the noise. It is advisable to keep dogs inside for their safety. Those sensitive to loud sounds should consider staying indoors.

SCHEDULE:

Fire crackers will start at 12pm at 4th/Jackson Street and run through Japantown, then end at Empire Seven Studios on 7th/Empire Street.
Participating stores on flyer will be having their own Fukubukuro (lucky bag) available for purchase.

Back in April 2015, Andrew Schoultz started work on a new massive mural in San Jose’s Japantown neighborhood. Measuring at 150ft wide by 24 ft tall, Andrew, with friends who came to volunteer, worked over 10 hour days to complete the mural in just 5 days! This is our 11th mural…. part of our E7SWallSJ project.

Much of Andrew’s work is based on the relationship between humans and nature and current political/social issues. It’s really interesting to hear Andrew discuss his views on these things as he gets deep into these issues and really makes you think twice about many of the things people are blind to these days.

Just having the ability to see how he works as an artist by adding layers, colors and textures was an experience of its own. During his time in San Jose, we were able to spend some quality time, taking him to some local arts shows and having him try local eateries.

Many people came throughout the 5 days to check out the mural in person. Some just drove by slowly, admiring the vibrancy and majestic quality to this piece. If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, it’s located on 6th and Empire Streets in San Jose’s Japantown. Grab a bite to eat and walk on by to see in person!

Lunar New Year - entering the year of the wood dragon!

Andrew Schoultz new mural in San Jose, CA (April 2015)