【嶽之枝尾神楽】
  嶽之枝尾神楽は、椎葉村南部を流れる小崎川流域に位置する竹の枝尾日当集落にて奉納される。集落の主な生活源は、椎茸栽培、次いで畜産、林業である。民俗学の創始者である柳田国男が、法制局の参事官であった明治４１年（１９０８）に椎葉村を訪れ、その伝承文化に触れたことで、翌年『後狩詞記（のちのかりことばのき）』を発表し、以後椎葉村は民俗学の宝庫として注目されている。当時、柳田を案内した中瀬淳（なかせすなお）村長宅には、昭和６０年（１９８５）に「日本民俗発祥の地」の碑が建立された。「宿借（やどかり）」「注繩引鬼神（しめひききじん）」「星指（ほしさし）」など、全国的に類を見ない演目が多く、貴重な伝承と云われる。嶽之枝尾神楽は、集落の前面に見える杉木立に鎮座する嶽之枝尾神社、または民家で行われる。地内日当（ちないひあて）、日添（ひぞえ）、臼杵又（うすきまた）の３集落の氏神として崇敬されてきた嶽之枝尾神社は、元久２年（１２０５）の勧請と伝え、古くは平田（へいだ）大明神と呼ばれていた。神楽は、３集落の民家で輪番制で行われていたが、昭和４３年（１９６８）に舞殿を改築してからは、主に神社で行われるようになった。「みこし神楽」と呼ばれる道神楽の保存継承の為に、不定期に民家での神楽も行っている。
  嶽之枝尾神楽には平祭りと三十三番の注連の大祭があり、移転後は神楽保存の為に３年に１度だった注連の大祭を、毎年１２月第１土曜から日曜にかけて行うようになった。注連（しめ）は、青柴垣の外神屋（そとこうや）中央に高天原の祭壇を設け、その左右両側に御幣（ごへい）、紅白の反物、日月を表した御笠などで飾られる大宝（たいほう）の注連を６本ずつ、計１２本立てる。
  保存会会員は約２０名で、一部の演目では世襲制が残っている。稽古は「ならし」といい、１０月中旬から週２回程行われる。激しい太鼓に静かな舞が特徴であり、ゴヤセキと呼ばれる女性達による神楽セリ歌と囃子が夜神楽を盛り立てる。

【Takenoedao Kagura】
Takenoedao-Hiate is a district located south of Shiiba Village on the left side of the Kosaki River basin. Shiitake cultivation, animal husbandry, and forestry are major sources of living in the district. Mr. Kunio Yanagita, who is known for his groundbreaking work on the Japanese folklore, had visited Shiiba Village while he was serving as the Counsellor of the Legal Affairs Bureau in 1908. His familiarity with Shiiba’s local traditions led to the publication of “Nochi-karikotobano-ki” in the following year. Since then, Shiiba Village has been known as the treasure trove of the Japanese folklore. In 1985, a stone monument recognizing Shiiba as the “place of origin of the Japanese folklore” was erected at the residence of the former village leader Mr. Sunao Nakase in Takenoedao, who worked for Mr. Yanagita as a guide. The kagura consists of unique programs such as Yadokari, Shimehiki-kijin, Hoshisashi, and are highly valued for their rarity.
Takenoedao Kagura is held at a private house or Takenoedao Shrine standing among the cedar trees in front of the community. Takenoedao Shrine enshrines the tutelary deities of three communities; Chinaihiate, Hizoe, Usukimata. Formally called Heida Daimyoujin, it is said to have been founded in 1205. Traditionally, the kagura was performed at a private house of the said communities in yearly rotation, until the sacred pavilion was rebuilt in 1968 for kagura performances at the shrine. Kagura are held irregularly at a private house for the preservation of kagura procession called “Mikoshi Kagura.”
Takenoedao Kagura used to be celebrated as “Hiramatsuri” regular festival or as “Shimeno-Taisai” grand festival with 33 programs held once every three years. Since the opening of the sacred pavilion, Shimeno-Taisai is held yearly on the first Saturday and Sunday of December for the preservation. The outdoor stage is decorated with brushwood fence around the edge and “takamagahara” altar set up at the center. 6 bamboo poles called “Taihou-no-Shime” are placed on each side of the alter, each decorated with paper streamers, red and white textiles, bamboo hats featuring the sun and the moon.
The Preservation Association is made up 20 members and some of the programs are passed down only within the families that perform them. The rehearsal is held twice a week from the middle of October. Characterized by the quiet dance and boisterous drum beat, the performance livens up with “goyaseki” that female audience sing and chant during the performance.