・・・
黒石市の津軽こけし館において、令和８年新春の「こけし初挽き神事」が
おごそかに執り行われました。今年の初挽きを任されたのは新人で女流工人の
北山真由美工人です。師匠は父親の北山盛治工人。
今回の神事は始めての経験で慎重に時間をかけて仕上げていました。
彼女はまだ若いのでこれからの津軽の伝統こけしを
立派に引き継いで頂きたいと思います。
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The New Year's "Kokeshi First Turning Ceremony" for 2026
 was solemnly held at the Tsugaru Kokeshi Museum in Kuroishi City. 
The person entrusted with this year's first turning
 as newcomer and female craftsman Mayumi Kitayama,
 mentored by her father, craftsman Moriharu Kitayama. 
This was her first time performing the ritual,
 and she took her time and care to complete it. 
She's still young, so we hope she will ably carry
 on the traditions of Tsugaru kokeshi into the future.
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