Creation myths across two nations enthralling

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with Taioreore – The Creation Story.

Could the collision of two indigenous art-forms – Maori and Japanese – really work?

But the end result was better than I could ever have expected – and the setting at Hamilton Garden’s Lakeside stage . . . just perfect.

The show combined the Maori and Japanese legends of the creation of Earth.

While things started shakily, as WaiTaiko – a Japanese drumming group based at the University of Waikato – got past their nerves, they soon found their footing and enthralled the audience with their own rendition of Japanese drumming, combined with the haunting sounds of the wood flute.

Next up was Kapa Kuru Pounamu – a local kapa haka group who took to the stage to tell the story of Ma¯ ui and how he found Aotearoa.

Their humour, combined with strong kapa haka and poi work, had the audience in stitches. Needless to say it’s the first time I’ve heard this story being told with Ma¯ ui being found by his brothers after doing a fart.

But the true stars of the night were Wa San Bon – a trio of professional Japanese drummers based in Tokyo.

Made up of leader and composer ‘‘Reach’’ Yamauchi, Hidenori Yura and Kenji Furutate they stole the show while telling the story of Izanagi and Izanami – who created Japan, giving birth to its eight islands.

Yamauchi – who has trained in both Western and Japanese classical and traditional music – was as strong as ever while playing the taiko drums.

But the fast arm work and stamina of Yura and Furutate was the most astounding moment and had the crowd cheering loudly.

How on earth these men can squat for that long, while pounding a drum as vigorously as they do is beyond me. But it did look like a great way to get rid of some built up anger.

When they combined with Kapa Kuru Pounamu it truly was a sight to watch.

Overall, a fine evening out in Hamilton.