【向山日当神楽】
  向山日当地区は、椎葉村の西端、熊本県との県境に位置し、九州の屋根を形づくる山岳地帯である。世帯数は３０世帯で自給自足の農家が多く、林業・土木業などに従事している。
  白鳥神社は平家残党の霊を祀っており、元久元年（１２０４年）の創建と云われている。明治４年に向山神社に改称されている。
  向山日当神楽は、向山日当公民館にて１２月第３土・日曜日に奉納される。今から３６０年ほど前に、現在の太夫（たゆう）の祖先、蔵座（ぞうざ）七左衛門が、高千穂の土持伊勢守（かみ）から３年３ヶ月かかって神楽３３番を伝習したといい伝えられている。夜神楽の行われる公民館は、かつて観音堂のあったところで現在も十一面観音が公民館の中に祀られている。神楽保存会は２２名で若い世代も多く、小学生の時から神楽を習っている。神楽せり歌も若い世代に伝承されている。近隣の向山日添、尾前、尾手納（おてのう）地区との神楽の交流もあり、それぞれの夜神楽で一演目奉納している。集落の人に不幸があった場合でも、神楽を中止しないことが多い。

【Mukaiyama-Hiate Kagura】
Located at the western end of the Shiiba Village and bordering on Kumamoto Prefecture, Mukaiyama-Hiate is in a mountainous region that constitutes the roof of Kyushu. The district is made up of 30 households, many of whom are self-sufficient farmers or engaging in forestry or construction. Shiratori Shrine enshrines the spirits of the survivors of the Taira clan and is said to be founded in 1204. The name of the shrine was changed to Mukaiyama Shrine in 1871.
Mukaiyama-Hiate Kagura is held at the Mukaiyama Hiate-Community Center on the third Saturday and Sunday of December. It is said that Mr. Shichizaemon Zouza, an ancestor of the current priest, was taught 33 acts of kagura for three years and three months by Tsuchimochi-Ise-no-kami, a former governor of Takachiho. Since the Community Center is standing at the former site of a temple that was dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess, the statues of Juichimen Kannon are still enshrined in the Community Center. The Association for the Preservation of Mukaiyama-Hiate Kagura consists of 22 performers, many of whom have learned kagura since they were elementary school students and been performing from a young age. Kagura-seri, accompanying kagura songs and chants given by the audience, is also passed to young generations. Mukaiyama-Hiate has a longstanding exchange of kagura with neighboring villages of Mukaiyma-Hizoe, Omae and Oteno, playing an act during each other’s night kagura performances. The Kagura has rarely been suspended by the passing of the inhabitants.