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Japanese tea ceremony held at Pearl Harbor
By AUDREY McAVOY, Associated Press – 6 days ago
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — Symbolizing how far the two countries have come, U.S. organizers on Tuesday hosted an ancient and ritualistic Japanese tea ceremony steeped in tradition at the watery grave of Pearl Harbor.
It was the first time the centuries-old art form emblematic of Japan was performed in the USS Arizona Memorial that sits on top of the battleship, which sank in the Japanese attack 70 years ago.
Organizers hoped the highly choreographed ritual will promote world peace and reconciliation between the U.S. and Japan, which were enemies but have been strong allies for more than 50 years. Such ceremonies encourage contemplation, reflection and respect for others.
They are also events of peace: samurai in medieval Japanese times would remove their swords and place them outside before entering a tea room.
Urasenke School of Tea grand tea master Genshitsu Sen, who served in the Japanese naval air force during World War II, prepared two bowls of green tea — one each for Pearl Harbor war dead and world peace. He took the bowls to the memorial's shrine room, where the names of U.S. sailors and Marines are chiseled into the wall.....
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