January 18, 2014, in Hiroshima, Japan, saw the christening ceremony of the Horizon RP105 motor yacht “AGORA”, held by her new owners, Mr. and Mrs. Akita. They hosted a traditional Japanese Shinto ceremony called “shinsuishiki” to launch and subsequently christen their new superyacht AGORA at the Sakaigahama dock. In Japan, “shinsuishiki” formally announces the name of the vessel to the Gods and asks for prayers and blessings for the yacht on all of her voyages.

Horizon RP105 superyacht AGORA

This was the second time Horizon attended a traditional Japanese naming ceremony for Mr. and Mrs. Akita – they held a “shinsuishiki” for their first Horizon motoryacht, a 2010 E78 also named “AGORA.”

Luxury yacht AGORA – aft view

Horizon Group CEO John Lu was a special guest for the event, along with interior designer Luca Dini, Horizon Japan representative Mr. Shintani and the owners’ family and friends.

Traditional Japanese Shinto ceremony to launch and christen AGORA Yacht

During the ceremony, a Shinto priestess wore a formal ritual costume to perform the traditional christening ceremony, and during the blessing ritual, John Lu was invited to hold the branch that represents Shinto and flipped the branch, then bowed and clapped twice to offer worship.

Horizon was honored to be a part of the Akita’s christening ceremony for luxury yacht “AGORA” and give their best wishes to the owner who is always positive to face his life and insist his life philosophy is like at the battlefield. Horizon wish them all the best as they begin their journey with their new Horizon RP105!