Kagurauta (神楽歌)
Kagurauta is a song performed in Kagura (sacred music and dancing performed at shrines).
Summary
The following 37 songs are known today.
Niwabi
Achime:
To be precise, the Achime is not a song but refers to rules of etiquette.
Torimono-uta song:
Sakaki,Mitegura,Tsue, Sasa (bamboo grasses), Yumi (a bow), Tachi (a sword), Hoko (a decorative float used in festival), Hisago, katsura (vines), Karakami. This song is given the name of Torimono-uta because the nincho (chief kagura dancer) took these tools when dancing.
Osaibari:
Miyabito, Yushide, Naniwagata, Saihari, Shinakatori
Kosaibari:
Komomakura, Shizuya, Isoragasaki, Sasanami, Uetsuki, Agemaki, Omiya, Minatoda, Kirigirisu, Senzai (Some suggest that 'Senzai' is excluded.)
Hayaura
Hoshisanshu:
Kikiriri, Tokusenko, Yutsukuru
Zoka:
Hirume, Yudachi, Asakura, Sonokoma (Some suggest that 'Senzai' is included.)
Kamadonouta
Sakadonouta
The songs generally consist of 31 characters with a melody written in and after the Nara period.
The song called 'Miyabito' and those listed below it were originally Saibara (of a genre of Heian-period Japanese court music (primarily consisting of gagaku-styled folk melodies)). These songs later belonged to the genre of Kagurauta song because they were performed as a side show of Kagura.
17 songs are performed today. In particular, 'Shizuya' and 'Isoragasaki' are said to be performed in Kinen-sai (prayer service for a good crop) and Niiname-sai (ceremonial offering by the Emperor of newly-harvested rice to the deities) festival, and 'Hirume' only in Daijo-sai festival (a festival to celebrate the succession of an emperor) as a secret music.