JA
PROJECT
As part of its commitment to promoting women’s active participation in the workplace, CASTEM has established “Saiun,” a women’s taiko team made up of CASTEM employees.
The team was formed under the guidance of Yoshiko Harada, a professional taiko drummer who performs both in Japan and internationally, in preparation for CASTEM’s 55th anniversary.
Since its formation, Saiun has performed at events including the World Conference on Investment Castings (WCIC), where precision casting professionals from around the world gather, as well as CASTEM’s annual summer festival.
In December 2026, Saiun is scheduled to perform at a ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of CASTEM Philippines.
Here, we introduce the team’s journey and the passion its members bring to taiko drumming.
Daily Practice
Saiun practices at a cultural center near CASTEM’s headquarters.
The members are female employees from various departments, including manufacturing, product and technology development, and sales. They come together between their regular work duties to train under Yoshiko Harada and practice independently.
“Let’s create a rhythm that gets everyone excited, just like at a festival.”
“Let’s try it one more time.”
Responding to Harada’s passionate guidance, the members practice with a serious attitude while maintaining a warm and positive atmosphere. Their training is not simply about synchronizing their movements and sounds—it is about becoming one as a team and expressing that unity through the taiko drums.
How Saiun Was Founded
Saiun was born from an encounter with Yoshiko Harada’s taiko performance.
Impressed by the powerful performance and its ability to move audiences, CASTEM President Takao Toda wanted to showcase a taiko performance by female employees at the company’s 55th anniversary ceremony as a symbol of women’s active participation at CASTEM. He therefore asked Harada to train the team.
When CASTEM invited employees to join, many young female employees volunteered, inspired by reasons such as:
“I’ve always wanted to play taiko.”
“I love music.”
“I want to try something new.”
However, most of the members had no previous experience with taiko. Starting with how to hold the drumsticks, they learned the basic techniques as well as posture, movements, calls, and facial expressions. They practiced for four months in preparation for their first performance.
At the anniversary ceremony, watched by many employees and guests, the team delivered a confident performance and received a great round of applause.
Performances at WCIC and CASTEM’s Summer Festival
Following the success of their first performance, Saiun has continued to expand its activities.
The team regularly performs at CASTEM’s annual summer festival. In September 2025, Saiun also performed at a dinner reception held during WCIC, which brought together precision casting professionals from around the world.
Their powerful performance captivated audiences from Japan and overseas, providing an opportunity to showcase both the appeal of Japanese culture and the unique spirit of CASTEM to an international audience.
The Future of Saiun
“Saiun” refers to an iridescent cloud that appears to shine in rainbow colors. It is also traditionally considered a symbol of good fortune.
The team’s name was proposed by one of its members, Takaishi.
The name expresses the team’s wish that each member will shine through her own individuality, and that those who see and hear their performances will feel inspired and happy.
In December 2026, Saiun is scheduled to make its first international performance at a ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of CASTEM Philippines.
As they prepare for this new stage, the members will continue to grow through their own journey of “Taiko-do”—the discipline and spirit of taiko.
Member Comments
Seike, Fundamental Technology Development Div.
At first, I found it challenging to vary the intensity of my strikes and to play quickly with large movements. However, through regular practice with colleagues of different ages and from different departments, we have been able to openly share ideas and improve together, one step at a time.
Even with the same drum, the atmosphere completely changes when Ms. Harada plays. The sound and resonance are completely different from what I can produce.
Through her guidance, I have learned not only technical skills but also the attitude and mindset required when performing. I hope to continue developing my skills and growing as a performer.
Shibasaki, Leader of Saiun /Die Mold Div.
What we have learned through taiko applies not only to our performances but also to our work and everyday lives, and we have gained many valuable lessons.
Our practice sessions are very serious, but thanks in part to Ms. Harada’s warm personality, we always maintain a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
With our first international performance approaching, the entire team is highly motivated.
We hope to deliver a heartfelt performance that will move everyone watching.
Message from Yoshiko Harada
As they have continued to practice, I feel that they have developed a stronger and more positive mindset toward taiko.
Taiko is a fundamental musical instrument that transcends borders, with the performer’s personality, mindset, and emotions expressed through its sound.
I hope that in the Philippines, they will be able to convey their feelings to the local audience through taiko. I sincerely support them on this new journey.
About Yoshiko Harada
Yoshiko Harada is a professional taiko drummer from Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture.
She studied under Norichika Nagata as a member of the Bingo Zao Taiko group. While pursuing traditional Japanese rhythms, she also formed “Koryuun,” a unique taiko sound unit based on improvisation and jazz-style interplay.
At a taiko competition held in Shikoku, she received high acclaim as part of a duo recognized as one of the finest in Japan.
As a soloist, she received an Excellence Award in the Large Taiko Solo category at the 2008 Tokyo International Taiko Contest, regarded as one of the world’s premier taiko competitions.
She has also participated as a guest artist at the Bangalore International Arts Festival in India and has performed numerous solo concerts in Japan. She continues to pursue a distinctive, diverse, and deeply expressive taiko sound while performing both in Japan and internationally.