Randyn Rios didn't want any part of the pageantry of dressing up in his blue and silver traditional Japanese garb.

He stood crying in front of the camera man, who coaxed and cajoled him while his mother offered up treat after treat. Still the 4-year-old Rios grimaced. His hakama — loose trousers over a kimono — was too tight. It was too heavy. And it cut into his waist.

Rios' mother, Dayle Hirayama, just wanted one good picture to have as a keepsake, a way to stay close to her family's traditions and cultures.

"Years from now, we'll all appreciate this experience," said Rae Takemoto of Maui, Rios' auntie. "It's interesting how kids get shy all of a sudden."

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i yesterday held a Shichi Go San kimono dressing, a rite of passage for children ages 3, 5 and 7 that is typically held in November. It's a time for children to don their finest kimono and be blessed by a Shinto priest. Nowadays, the passage is recorded digitally for posterity.

Takemoto, who was with her two sisters and her parents, hoped to get all the grandchildren, young and old, to dress in the traditional kimono and hakama and have their picture taken.

"It's great to have them participate in their culture," said Joy Matsukawa, one of Takemoto's sisters. "Kids have a greater appreciation of where they come from, their grandparents and their ways."

About 85 children were signed up for the Shichi Go San rite, said Alan Okimoto, cultural center interim special events coordinator. He said this time of year is considered good luck for children. In Japanese culture, children ages 3, 5 and 7 are considered to be open to good luck, Okimoto said.

The ritual dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868) when the practice spread to the commoners who began visiting shrines to have prayers offered by priests. Like many things in Hawai'i that are adapted to multicultural lifestyles, the custom now encompasses all ages.

While the families waited for their turn to get dressed up by Masako Formals, children were entertained by coloring and learning to make silk flowers.

Inside the room, Ty Heely, a 5-year-old Pearl Ridge Elementary School kindergartner, waited his turn for a picture.

"It's kind of uncomfortable," Heely said. "It's really tight around my waist."

For 3-year-old Katie Carlos, yesterday was a time to really play dress up. From the zori slippers that tinkled every time she walked, to sitting patiently while a priest from the Izumo Taisha-kyo Mission of Hawai'i shook his rattle and prayed over her head, it was a great experience.

"I'm having her picture taken as a surprise for my husband," said her mom, Suzanne Carlos of Pearl City. "It really brings me closer to my Japanese culture when I do things like this."

After finally succumbing to having his picture taken without too many tears and being blessed by the priest, Randyn Rios was ready to have his mom make good on her promise: A trip to the Waikiki Aquarium for a look at the fish and sea creatures.

Said Takemoto: "Doing this ritual was very important to my grandmother, who was very traditional, who recently passed away. In a way, we're honoring her."