Designated cultural properties(Government designated cultural properties)

Shodon village is beyond south hill from Ikenma which has a port of departure for the ferry Kakeroma. Ochon shrine, where Shodon Shibaya is held, is in the entrance to Shodon.
According to the oral tradition, the Heike clan who were lost in the battle “Gen-Pei”, came to Amami to escape from hunting and killing by their enemy. Among them, Sukemori Taira built a house in Kakeroma’s Shodon, reportedly he lead a star-crossed life. According to the word of mouth, the beginning of “Shodon Shibaya” is a theater which Sukemori taught to the islanders for a deepened exchange.
More than 20 kinds of programs were cut in half, so today 11 kinds of them have been passed down by the Preservation Society of Shodon Shibaya. It is mainly today held in Ochon Shrine precinct enshrining Sukemori Taira on September 9 of the lunar calender.
“Shodon Shibaya” has an all male cast who wear “homemade paper masks (Kabidira)”. The cast’s costumes are a paper hats, a silk Kimonos, and white pants. But only the role of “Sanbato” has a bowler hat, a Saihai (a baton of command), and a paper mask with a
long white beard.

Yui village is about 15 minutes to west of Koniya by car. The “Yui Harvest Dance” is always held whether it rains or is windy on August 15 of the lunar calendar.
The entertainers wear a paper mask with smiles (Kamimen) which come in a variety of humorous types. The dance has been handed down for a long time. Today, the pray and thanksgiving of harvest to God is still kept according to old customs.