A Japanese World War II-era sailor this morning performed the first sacred Japanese tea ceremony aboard the USS Arizona Memorial, a national monument and the symbol of Japanese aggression that launched America into war.

The ceremony by 88-year-old Genshitsu Sen, a 15th generation Grand Teamaster of the Urasenke School of Tea, came nearly 70 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 and was intended as a symbol of reconciliation between the now-allied nations.

Dignitaries aboard the Arizona Memorial included three American survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and Consul General Yoshihiko Kamo of Japan, who watched Sen dedicate a bowl of tea to the 1,177 U.S. sailors and Marines who died during the attack that launched America into World War II.

Sen spent 10 minutes methodically preparing the bowl of tea, then carried it to the memorial’s shrine room that lists the names of the dead Americans on a wall.

After placing the bowl on a wooden altar in front of the names, Sen bowed deeply.

He then prepared a second bowl of tea and also walked it to the shrine room and placed it next to the first bowl then, again, bowed deeply.

The second bowl of tea was dedicated to the goal of world peace.

The entire sacred tea ceremony lasted 23 minutes.

When he was done, Sen said through a translator that, "I have lived 88 years and this event here today is going to be the most memorable event for myself, personally."

This morning’s ceremony began with a Hawaiian oli, or chant. Hawaii recording artist Raiatea Helm sang Hawaii Ponoi.

Entertainer Jim Nabors was supposed to sing "The Star Spangled Banner" but was hospitalized Monday night, said former Hawaii First Lady Jean Ariyoshi, who presided over the ceremony. Ariyoshi did not say why Nabors was hospitalized but a spokeswoman for the event said he suffered from an inflammation in his throat.

A U.S. sailor filled in for Nabors as the Pearl Harbor veterans saluted and civilians held their hands over their hearts.

"We come together … to pray for peace," Ariyoshi said.

The Buddhist/Zen tea ceremony is performed in methodical detail, culminating in a cup of tea, and is intended to symbolize harmony, purity, tranquility and reverence.

The land-based Pearl Harbor Visitor Center remained open this morning, but boat tours to the white, bowed memorial that straddles the sunken remains of the USS Arizona were suspended to the public during the ceremony.

As the ceremony began, Gov. Neil Abercrombie said, "We stand in solidarity with Japan, one island people to another. Yes, one island people to another. … Our histories are intertwined in tragedies and triumphs."

After the war, Sen studied at the University of Hawaii, where he started the first sacred tea ceremony outside of Japan, Ariyoshi said.

The ceremony concluded with a U.S. sailor blowing Taps on a trumpet, followed by Kamaki Kanahele leading the dignitaries out with an oli pule.

Hozea Chambers, a 64-year-old, retired Air Force sergeant from Bedford, Texas, waited to board a boat to the Arizona Memorial after the tea service and was conflicted that the memorial hosted this morning’s ceremony.

"I understand the necessity for reconciliation," he said. "But I’m torn about those poor souls" who died in the attack.

But Angie Bolle, a 70-year-old visitor to the USS Arizona Memorial visitor center from Fort Worth, Texas, liked the idea of the service.

"It’s been such a long time," Bolle said. "People have to figure out a way to heal."