Japan 旅行: Kyoto Festival: Bamboo Cutting Ritual at Kurama-dera (Takekirie)

The Takekirie is a bamboo cutting ritual performed annually at Kurama temple in Kyoto. The ritual, which has been performed for over 1000 years, is based on the legend of Buen the monk and the serpent.
Teams of 8 men wearing traditional costume race to see who can chop through bamboo the fastest using a mountain sword and the help of their team mates.

Check out this beautiful video posted by Discover Kyoto that shows the Takekirie ritual and explains the legend it is based on.