Conferment Ceremony of the Japanese Imperial Decoration Upon Prof. Dr. Oğuz Baykara

On April 21, 2026, Prof. Oğuz Baykara, a faculty member of the Department of Translation and Interpreting Studies at Yeditepe University, was decorated with the “Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette”. The ceremony was held at the Consulate Residence, hosted by His Excellency Iwama Ryōji, Consul General of Japan in Istanbul, and Mrs. Iwama Eiko. The event was attended by a delegation from Yeditepe University, including Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Aylin Yaba Uçar, Dean Prof. Dr. Egemen Yılgür, Vice Dean Asst. Prof. Mehmet Tolga Uslu, Department Head Asst. Prof. Mehmet Erguvan, and Faculty Coordinator Asst. Prof. Başak Ergil.

In his commendation speech, Consul General Iwama Ryōji highlighted Prof. Baykara’s significant contributions to the dissemination and understanding of Japanese culture. Mr. Iwama expressed his profound respect for Baykara’s fifteen-year monumental effort in translating Murasaki Shikibu’s 1,000-year-old masterpiece, The Tale of Genji, into Turkish. He also emphasized the critical importance of the Basic Japanese-Turkish Dictionary authored by Prof. Baykara for Japanese language education in Türkiye. Furthermore, the Consul General underlined Prof. Baykara's contributions, in his capacity as Vice President of the Association of Japanese Studies (JAD), to mutual cultural understanding.Concluding his remarks, Mr. Iwama addressed the importance of human communication and empathy for global peace and stability. Amidst concerns regarding the current regional climate, he stressed the necessity for cultures to understand and accurately represent one another, noting that Prof. Baykara’s work serves as an exemplary model in this regard. Following the speech, the Consul General pinned the decoration to Prof. Baykara’s lapel and presented him with the official handwritten certificate bearing the seals of the Emperor of Japan and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Delivering his acceptance speech in both Japanese and Turkish, Prof. Dr. Oğuz Baykara stated that he regards this decoration as a meaningful testament to the enduring bond between Japan and Türkiye. Highlighting the profound wisdom of Japanese literature and philosophy, he noted his aim to bridge geographical distances and spark appreciation for Japanese literary beauty in Türkiye through his translations. Emphasizing that language is not merely a tool for communication but a vessel for shared emotions, he expressed his belief in fostering unity and respect through shared narratives. He concluded with the words of the poet Matsuo Bashō: “Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home,” inviting guests to embrace the richness of diversity.The ceremony concluded with a reading of Miyazawa Kenji’s poem, “Ame ni mo makezu!” (Strong in the Rain), in both the original Japanese and Prof. Baykara’s Turkish translation. The subsequent reception brought together academics from Yeditepe, Boğaziçi, and Istanbul Universities, JAD executives, publishers, and students. This decoration marks the second major honor for Prof. Dr. Oğuz Baykara, who previously received the “Foreign Minister’s Commendation” in 2020.

Photographs: Ertuğrul İspiroğlu, Doğukan Günday