Ronin: the one and the only
“Cut off words. Throw away the unnecessary. I sighed happily,” wrote Matsuo Basho in one of his haiku. Sitting on the foredeck and gazing at the sea, you will feel this exact sensation, taking a deep, joyful breath.
The 58-meter Lürssen superyacht seems to embody this philosophy perfectly, with nothing superfluous about it. It has conquered both space, having traveled to many corners of the planet, and time. Even though it will soon be 33 years old, both its exterior and interior design (or rather, the apparent lack thereof) remain timeless, enhancing its unique charm.
A frequent visitor to the French Riviera, this yacht can stir up quite the commotion in the pre-dawn mist among other crews. Is that an unidentified warship approaching? Could it be the coast guard coming to settle the score after last night’s wild party? Or perhaps pirates are once again prowling the Mediterranean? No, it’s Ronin. Stand down, it’s one of ours.
In 1993, its original owner, a Japanese millionaire, named it Izanami after the Shinto goddess of creation. His main requests to Lürssen were to ensure a maximum speed of 30 knots, a cruising range of 3,500 nautical miles at 18 knots, and top-notch safety at sea.
The legendary Gerhard Gilgenast was responsible for the naval architecture. He designed the hull based on patrol boats, with a semi-displacement form and a high deadrise that flattens towards the stern. Models were tested in the Vienna Model Basin before the final decision was made to craft aluminum plates for the five watertight sections that form the hull.
Norman Foster was invited to design the yacht’s exterior. This choice was unconventional. Although Foster was already considered a master architect in the 1980s, he had no prior experience with yacht projects, essentially starting with a blank slate, or perhaps a fresh perspective and a touch of Zen inspiration.
Foster’s concept was to base the design on the flexible body of an insect: the “head” containing the “brain” (the wheelhouse), the “thorax” (the rest of the superstructure), and the “abdomen” (the lower deck). This was more of a conceptual framework. You’d have to look closely to see hints of a wasp or beetle in the sharp lines and expansive white surfaces, resembling something folded out of paper in the art of origami.
In the treatise “Hagakure” on the samurai philosophy of life, it is said: “Discipline is not a restriction of freedom. It is the removal of all that is unnecessary.” Bushido resonates with Basho, doesn’t it? Foster played with this ascetic, militarized style as an elegant homage to modernist architecture. For our readers, the closest association might be with the constructivist ship-like buildings of the 1920s.
Minimal use of color: white furniture and light teak on the decks. The only vibrant accents in the interiors are the countertops, select furniture facades, and honey-brown tinted wooden wall panels with highlighted natural textures. Every room is bathed in natural light, creating a serene atmosphere.
The only feature that breaks the yacht’s minimalist aesthetic and flirts with the edge of decorum is a red basketball hoop attached to the overhang of the upper deck. But who could resist? The aft deck offers so much free space that playing streetball without the risk of losing the ball to the ocean is entirely feasible. Such an opportunity shouldn’t go to waste!
The owner’s suite occupies a privileged position on the upper deck, complete with a private bathroom, dining area, and living room. Guest cabins are located on the lower deck. The main salon, featuring a spacious lounge and dining area, dominates the superstructure on the main deck level.
The best spot for an evening dinner on a pleasant day is the sundeck, where a long table with lightweight chairs is set up beneath the radar arch. For sunbathing, there are loungers on the roof of the wheelhouse.
To take a swim or launch a tender, the transom panel can be lowered, revealing a garage on the main deck. This garage also doubles as a beach club with sun loungers. Inside, two large tenders are stored.
Ronin is not just a masterpiece of design but also a true performance beast. Its MTU diesel engines, boasting 5,875 horsepower, hum in their polished glory within the engine room, freshly overhauled this year. The yacht can easily exceed its stated top speed of 30 knots, an impressive feat that surpasses the speeds of many modern yachts.
Over its long life, Ronin has changed hands several times, living up to its name (in Japan, a “ronin” refers to a wandering samurai). Its most famous owner was Oracle founder Larry Ellison, who in early October surpassed Musk and Bezos to become the world’s richest man. At 81, Ellison boasts a keen sense for yacht trends. The provenance of the magnificent yachts he has acquired over the years is often tied to Japanese names. These include the 138-meter behemoth Rising Sun by Lürssen, the 88-meter beauty Musashi by Feadship (named after the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi and the Japanese battleship of the same name), and the new 60-meter ketch Katana, whose construction was marked by the bankruptcy of the Perini Navi shipyard. Ronin holds a distinguished place in this illustrious fleet.
