In a ceremony at the Tokyo Bay port, Ikenobo ikebana Headmaster Designate Senko Ikenobo officially welcomed the newest Mitsui Ocean Cruises ship, by naming her Mitsui Ocean Fuji.
The commemorative event took place onboard Mitsui Ocean Fuji in the Ocean Stage theater and Senko Ikenobo, alongside CEO and President Tsunemichi Mukai and Captain Kim Karlsson, warmly wished the ship “fair winds and following seas” for a journey sailing to unique and beautiful destinations in Japan and beyond.
To culminate the celebration, she released a bottle of sake that shattered against the ship, wishing good fortune to all guests and crew sailing onboard, according to a press release.
Sister ship, Nippon Maru, was also in port to greet Mitsui Ocean Fuji, and guests onboard both ships waved flags, as the ships festively exchanged three horn salutes, symbolizing the “Mitsui” (three bars) motif in the cruise line’s brand mark.
Takeshi Hashimoto, representative pirector, president, Chief Executive Officer of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and several other stakeholders were also at the naming ceremony to celebrate the debut of Mitsui Ocean Fuji.
Mukai, CEO and President of Mitsui Ocean Cruises, remarked: “Senko Ikenobo is highly admired for her dedication and passion for meticulous ikebana artistry in Japan, making her the perfect choice to name Mitsui Ocean Fuji. With her well wishes for a prosperous life and happy and sustainable future, guests will enjoy beautiful encounters with Japan and an authentically and carefully crafted cruise experience blending our distinct Japanese culture with inspiring and unique ways to value time and space.”
Senko Ikenobo is the first woman appointed as Headmaster Designate of the Ikenobo School, recognized as the oldest and most influential school of ikebana, the time-honored Japanese art of flower arranging. The Ikenobo tradition of ikebana emphasizes a philosophy of creating harmony between humans and nature and cultivating mindfulness. On this day, the stage was decorated with an ikebana created by Senshu Ikenobo, the head of the Ikenobo Youth Club (and the son of Senko Ikenobo). The ikebana expresses the beauty of nature, as well as the promise of deepening the connection and trust between Mitsui Ocean Cruises and the people living in the communities Mitsui Ocean Fuji will visit. The ikebana added to the beauty of Japan of Mitsui Ocean Fuji’s memorable ceremony, which offers “FUNATABI – Beautiful Encounters with Japan.”
Caption: From left: Ikenobo ikebana Headmaster Designate Senko Ikenobo poses with Mitsui Ocean Cruises President and CEO Tsunemichi Mukai and Captain Kim Karlsson to celebrate the official naming of the Mitsui Ocean Fuji.
