Assoc. Prof. Dr. Esin ESEN
Japanologist | Manager of ESN Akademi
Author, Translator, Editor.
Specialist in Classical Japanese Women Literature. Man’yōshū, Translation Studies
Current Focus: Digital Humanities (Digital Japanology & Translation)
Interdisciplinary Background in Turkology, Anatolian Studies
Languages: Japanese, English, Spanish, Classical Japanese, Turkish (native)
Advanced Digital Competence
Academic Networks & Impact Metrics:
Google Scholar | ORCID | Academia.edu | Researchmap (Japan)
SHORT PROFILE
Assoc. Prof. Esin Esen is an author, editor, translator and scholar specializing in Classical Japanese Literature and Translation Studies, with nearly 30 books published in Türkiye, Japan, USA. She is the first academic in Türkiye to research on the Man’yōshū—the oldest anthology of Japanese poetry. Her studies cover Manyō and Heian Period Women’s Literature in Japan.
Her work in Translation Studies is connected with her background in Classical Japanese. She developed a methodology for translating “listener responsibility” (kikitesekinin) in Japanese—a method she has published internationally and applied to her own translations of both modern and ancient texts. By applying the Japanese kanbun-kundoku method in the translation of classical Chinese texts, she also took a step to translate Kanbun literature into Turkish. She is the Turkish editor of “Shaping the Field of Translation in Japanese↔Turkish Contexts 1-2”, the world’s first academic books on Turkish↔Japanese translation. Her translations from Classical Japanese into Turkish include The Diary of Murasaki Shikibu and the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, alongside modern texts such as Jun’ichirō Tanizaki’s Sasameyuki. She has been translating since the 1990s [Japanese, Spanish and English, classical Japanese, Turkish (native)]. She gave theoretical and applied translation courses at university level in these languages at Boğaziçi University and Galatasaray University. At ESN Akademi, she developed a curriculum for professionals on Japanese-Turkish translation by applying theoretical and applied approaches of both fields.
Esen designed and directed multidisciplinary projects with a global scope, on Japan and Türkiye. Since 2015, she coordinated an international network of over 300 contributors—including scholars, specialists, and artists. By 2026, her projects produced 21 multilingual books and 2 exhibitions.
Alongside her expertise in Japanology, her work is shaped by her university level background in Turkology and professional knowledge of Anatolian studies.
As of 2026, Esen focuses on Digital Translation Studies and Digital Japanese Studies, She has designed a systemic AI translation workflow in a closed-circuit environment to replicate “the author’s own style” (the Yazıcı project). Currently, she is creating a digital database of her own corpus of works by adding structured data (YAML) to each of her studies; as a next step, she aims “to replicate her knowledge and mind” via AI. She also conducts seminars on AI in translation and research, focusing on the mechanics of LLMs and AI ethics.
In 2024, she founded ESN Akademi as an academic center for her transdisciplinary work. The center operates through specialized units for Research, Publishing, Education, Translation, among others. It also serves as a platform for international events and exhibitions, featuring publications supported by the Japan Foundation and acquired by the Turkish Ministry of Culture for public libraries.
Alongside her academic work, Esen is committed to public scholarship in her specialized subjects through her publications, videos, events, exhibitions, and talks. She especially makes classical Japanese literature accessible beyond academia.
ACADEMIC CAREER
2020 Associate Professor (Rank) – Japanese Language and Literature (Philology) Awarded by the Inter-University Council of Türkiye (ÜAK))
2013 PhD, Ankara University, Institute of Social Sciences, Japanese Language and Literature Dept. GPA 3.9/ 4
Dissertation: Women Poets and Their Poetry in Man’yōshū – Cognitive Poetics, Reader Responsibility Approach
2007 BA Ankara University, The Faculty of Languages, History and Geography, Japanese Language and Literature Dept. GPA 95/ 100
Dissertation: Heian Period Women Writers
1995 AD, Ankara University, The Faculty of Languages, History and Geography, Japanese Language and Literature Dept
1995, Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism Japanese-Spanish-English License / Specialized in Anatolian Studies: History, Archaeology, and Art History, Mythology, Iconography.
1991 AD, Boğaziçi University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Turkish Language and Literature Dept./ (Background in Turkology)
TEACHING POSITIONS
2013 – 2015 Galatasaray University, Comparative Linguistics and Applied Foreign Languages Dept. Instructor P/T
Lectures given:
1) Translation theory 2) Translation methods, Spanish English Turkish
3) Translation criticism, Spanish English Turkish 4) Types of translation, Spanish English Turkish
2014 Boğaziçi University, The Master of Arts Program in Asian Studies, Instructor P/T
Lectures given: Japanese (intermediate)
2013 Bahçeşehir University, Department of Interior Design, private Japanese program lessons, Japanese Instructor P/T
Lectures given: Japanese (elementary)
2010 – 2012 Boğaziçi University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Department of History, Japanese Language Program, Instructor P/T
Lectures given:
1) Translation of Modern and Classical Japanese Texts II (advanced)
2) Translation of Modern and Classical Japanese Texts I (advanced)
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT & ADVANCED ACADEMIC SEMINARS
2023 – Present: Program Director & Lecturer | ESN Akademi
Esen has developed an educational framework under ESN Akademi, offering postgraduate-level seminars in Translation Studies, Japanology, and Classical Japanese Literature fields. She designed curriculums of her seminars by applying theoretical approaches to applied fields. Admission is selective via preliminary interviews. Participants must complete applied projects at various levels to gain expertise. Upon completion, a Certificate of Completion [Bitirme Belgesi] is issued.
2026 – Present | ESN Akademi | Yapay Zeka Ve Etik: Akademi ve Çeviride [The Mechanics Of Ai And Ethics For Academic Research And Translation] (Online seminars, Language: Turkish, 2 seminars 7 hours in total) Module (1): Large Language Models / Module (2): Ethical Awareness and AI
2024 – Present | ESN Akademi (Initiated in collaboration with BİLARK) | Profesyoneller İçin Türkçe ↔Japonca Yazili Çeviri [Written Translation In Context Of Turkish↔Japanese For Professionals]Module (1): Translation Theories; Module (2): Method in Translation (Online seminars) (30 hours / 10 seminars) (Lecture given in Turkish with examples in Japanese) Seminar Lecturer Assoc. Prof. Dr. Esin Esen, Education representative of Bilark Prof. Dr. Turgay Kurultay. [Select Program Outcome: Upon an invitation from the Japan Foundation in 2024, three participants from this seminar were selected to attend a translation workshop in Japan under Assoc. Prof. Dr. Esen’s reference. “Japanese–Turkish Literary Translators’ Visit (FY2024)— a program commemorating the Centennial Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Turkey| The Japan Foundation Tokyo & Iwate, Japan | Nov 4 – Nov 16, 2024. https://www.bookmark.jpf.go.jp/e/translator_spotlight/5638/]
2023 – Present | ESN Akademi (Initiated in collaboration with BİLARK) | Çevirinin Temelleri [The Essentials Of Translation]. (Online seminars) (10 seminars 20 hours in total) (Lecture given in Turkish with examples in Japanese, English, Spanish) Seminar Lecturer Assoc. Prof. Dr. Esin Esen, Education representative of Bilark Prof. Dr. Turgay Kurultay.
BOOKS
(For book chapters, edited volumes, and translations, please refer to the related sections below.)
Scholarly Monographs
Esen, E. 2025. Japon Edebiyatı 1: Eski Çağ – Man’yōshū, İstanbul: ESN Akademi Publishing. [English translation of the title: Japanese Literature 1: The Ancient Age – Man’yōshū. New edition of the work originally published in 2019 as Kadim Japon Şiiri MAN’YŌSHŪ, now reformatted as the first volume of a series with the addition of updated English and Japanese abstracts].
Esen, E. 2025. Japon Edebiyatı 2: Eski Çağ – Jōdai Kayō, İstanbul: ESN Akademi Publishing. [English translation of the title: Japanese Literature 2: The Ancient Age – Jōdai Kayō. New edition of the work originally published in 2020 as Eski Japon Edebiyatında Halk Şarkıları now reformatted as the second volume of a series with the addition of updated English and Japanese abstracts].
Esen, E. 2019. Kadim Japon Şiiri MAN’YŌSHŪ, Ankara. Gece Akademi Publishing.
[English Translation of the title: Japanese Poems from a Distant Past MAN’YŌSHŪ万葉集
This research book analyses Man’yōshū anthology, exploring the development of early Japanese poetry between 340 and 759 AD, with genetic structuralist method to set forth the relationship between literary texts and the social structures of ancient Japan.]
Esen, E. 2020. Eski Japon Edebiyatında Halk Şarkıları. İstanbul: Efe Akademi Publishing.
[English Translation of the title: Jōdai Kayō Songs in Old Japanese Literature 上代歌謡
An analytical study on Jōdai Kayō, focusing on the origins and structures of ancient Japanese songs. Using genetic structuralism,
the book examines the interplay between early collective activities and the emergence of Japanese literature, extending
the author’s previous research on the Man’yōshū.]
Literary & Artistic
Esen, Esin. 2025. Ogura’ya Öyküler Yüz Japon Şairinden Birer Şiir. Published with Japan Foundation Support. İstanbul: ESN Akademi Publishing. [Author of the book and translator of classical Japanese poems of Ogura Hyakunin Isshu]
[English Translation of the title: Tales to Ogura 100 Poems by 100 Japanese Poets
The direct translation of the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu from Classical Japanese, with short stories based on historical data of classical literature.
The book features 100 karuta illustrations along with the poems created by 60 artists, academics, or experts from the Turkish-Japanese world.
Includes QR codes for listening to the poems in Turkish and Japanese. Please see the detailed info under the Projects section below]]
Esen, Esin. 2025. ESN OGURA. [Audiovisual book]. İstanbul: ESN Akademi Publishing. [Translator of classical Japanese poems and performer of some poem recitations].
[A collection of 100 videos featuring the original Ogura Hyakunin Isshu poems and their Turkish translations.
Each video includes the karuta visual, followed by the recitation of the poem in Japanese and then in Turkish.]
Esen, Esin. 2024. (author) The Women of Wa Country/ Wa Ülkesinin Kadınları/ 和が国の女. Trilingual Koten Manga on Heian Women’s Literature. Illustrators: Rukiye Derdiyok, Erhan Özışıklı, Irmak Dündar, Ayşegül Kalaycıoğlu, Doruk Mert Aşkın, Burcu Köse. Published in USA&Japan,Turkey: ESN Akademi Publishing.
A trilingual manga based on Heian period women’s literature. The first chapter depicts the Heian Capital and waka poetry, followed by chapters on Tosa Nikki, Kagerō Nikki, Makura no Sōshi, Izumi Shikibu Nikki, and Murasaki Shikibu Nikki. Each work, illustrated by six artists using their own techniques, stands out as an unexpected result that represents the distinct styles of the classical authors. Includes excerpts translated from Classical Japanese into Turkish and modern Japanese by Esen. Please see the detailed info under the Projects section below]
Esen, E. 2020. Bir İnterrail Seyyahının Anılarından 1994, ebook.
[Translation of the title: A Memoir of an Interrail Traveler 1994
Includes color diapositives taken with a professional SLR camera. Parts of the text were previously published in a travel journal in 1998.]
ACADEMIC ARTICLES, CHAPTERS, DISSERTATIONS
Esen, E. (2024). “Hon’yaku jissen to kōsatsu: ‘Shin Chokusen Wakashū’ 1009-ban no Toruko-go yaku” In A. Fittler & K. Tsuchida (Eds.), Sekai no Naka no Waka 4: Tagengo hon’yaku o tōshite miru Nihon bunka no juyō to hen’yō. pp. 93-100. ISSN: 2759-4351. [Peer-reviewed Article in Japanese: Translation Practice and Analysis: Turkish Translation of No. 1009 from Shin Chokusen Wakashū].「翻訳実践と考察：『新勅撰和歌集』1009番のトルコ語訳」フィットレル・アーロン、土田久美子編『世界の中の和歌 4：多言語翻訳を通して見る日本文化の受容と変容』93-100頁。ISSN: 2759-4351.
Esen, Esin. “Kendisini Anlatan Yazar: Dazai” in: Dazai, Osamu, Villon’un Karısı. İstanbul: Sel Publishing. 2023. pp.101-111. [Translation of the title: The Author Narrating Himself: Dazai]
Esen, Esin “Türkiye’de Japonya Çalışmaları” Üzerine Düşünmek (2021). Kotodama İstanbul Academia 1. İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022 pp. 17-101 [Book chapter in Turkish: Thoughts on “Japanese Studies in Turkey” (2021) ]
Esen, Esin “Japon Kadın Edebiyatı Bağlamında Ogura Hyakunin Isshu’nun (1235) Kadın Şairleri” Ed. Ali Merthan Dündar. APAM Japonya Kitabı. Ankara Üniversitesi Yayınları. (2021) : 141-170. [Paper in Turkish: The Women Poets of Ogura Hyakunin Ishhu, in the context of Japanese Women’s Literature]
Esen, Esin. The Extralinguistic Factors on the Intralingual Translations of ‘Person Referent Ellipsis’ in Classical Japanese. Elektronik Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 2020, 19 (75) , 1148-1169. DOI: 10.17755/esosder.673795
Esen, Esin. Klasik Çince Edebi Metinlerin Türkçeye Çevrilmesinde Japon Kanbun Kundoku Yöntemi -Üç T’ang Şiiri Örneğinde-.Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi. 2020, 29-60. [Article in Turkish, Title in English: Japanese Kanbun Kundoku Method for the Translation of Classical Chinese Literary Texts to Turkish -Through the Example of Three T’ang Poems]
Esen, Esin. Kokinşiu: One of the First Book Translations from Japanese Literature to Turkish -a Translation Archeology Approach. Turkish Studies – Language, 2020. 15(2), 695-712. https://dx.doi.org/10.29228/TurkishStudies.41648
Esen, Esin. Nature in Classical Japanese Literature – an Ecocritical Perspective of the Plants in the Diary of Lady Murasaki. Avrasya Uluslararası Araştırmalar Dergisi, 2020. 8, 114-140. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33692/avrasyad.661273
Esen, Esin, “A Method with a Manual for Translation of the Reader Responsibility Feature of Japanese”Eds. E. Esen, R. Miyashita, Shaping the Field of Translation in Japanese ↔ Turkish Contexts I, Berlin: Peter Lang, 2019, p. 143-178. ISBN: 978-3-631-78935-3
Esen, Esin; Miyashita Ryō, “Is It a Stone in Babel Tower Bridging Both Ends of Asia?” Eds. E. Esen, R. Miyashita, Shaping the Field of Translation in Japanese ↔ Turkish Contexts I, Berlin: Peter Lang, 2019, p. 13-28. ISBN: 978-3-631-78935-3
Miyashita Ryō, Esen, Esin, “History of Turkish Translation in Japan and its Problems”Eds. R. Miyashita, E. Esen, Shaping the Field of Translation in Japanese ↔ Turkish Contexts II, Berlin: Peter Lang, 2019, p. 13-24. ISBN: 978-3-631-78173-9
Özrenk Aydın, G.; Esen Esin, “A Discovery: A Direct Literary Translation from Japanese into Turkish Dating 1938” Eds. R. Miyashita, E. Esen, Shaping the Field of Translation in Japanese ↔ Turkish Contexts II, Berlin: Peter Lang, 2019, p. 123-140. ISBN: 978-3-631-78173-9
Esen, Esin;Man’yōshū Şiirlerinin İncelenmesinde Oluşumsal Yapısalcı Yöntemin İmkanları. Humanitas, 6(12), 10-34, 2018. [Paper in Turkish: The Possibilities of Genetic Structuralist Method for The Analysis of Man’yōshū Poems ] DOI: 10.20304/humanitas.410927
――――; “Sasameyuki no Torukogo-yaku ni okeru Kikitesekinin no Imiteki- Ninchiteki Yōso no Honyaku ni tsuite“, Isuramu Sekai, No. 89, pp 1-28, 2018. [Paper in Japanese- Sasameyuki Romanındaki Anlamsal ve Bilişsel Öğelerin Çevirisine Dair / The Translation of Semantic and Cognitive Items of the Reader Responsibility in the Japanese Novel Sasameyuki’s Turkish Translation]
――――,“Zor Zamanlarda Japonya’da Bir Kadın Romanı: Sasameyuki (Nazlı Kar)”, 20. Yüzyılda Savaş ve Kadın, Editor: Onur Yamaner, Bilge Yayıncılık, s. 190 , 232, 2016. [A Women’s Novel in the Hard Times of Japan: Sasameyuki (The Makioka Sisters) in The War and The Women in the 20th Century. ed. Onur Yamaner] (Abstract in English)
――――, “Nazlı Kar-Sasameyuki’yi Türkçe Algılamak”, Nazlı Kar, Can Publishing, p. 9-15, 2015. [Perception of Sasameyuki in Turkish]
――――, “Sasameyuki no Torukogo no Honyaku: Kikitesekinin oyobi Ninchi Shigaku no Shiten kara” Sekai Bungaku/ Honyaku to Bungaku Tokushū , No 122 s. 71-80 , 12, 2015. [Turkish Translation of Sasameyuki: From the point view Reader Responsibility and Cognitive Poetics]
――――, “Man’yōshū’da İki Ukareme Şiiri -‘Okuyucu-Dinleyici Sorumluluğu’ Açısından” Türkiye’de Japonya Çalışmaları II, Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Publishing, İstanbul, 2015, pp.151-168. [Two Poems by Ukaremes – From the Point of the View Reader Responsibility] (Abstract in English)
――――, “Japon Edebiyatından Türkçeye Çeviriye ‘Okuyucu-Dinleyici Sorumluluğu’ Yaklaşımı –Sasame Yuki Örnekleminde” International Symposium on Asian Languages and Literatures, pp. 461-483, Kayseri, 2014. [Reader Responsibility Approach to The Translation of Japanese Literature to Turkish -On The Example of Sasame Yuki] (Abstract in English)
――――, Manyōshū’da Kadın Şairler ve Şiirleri –Bilişsel Poetika Açısından ‘Okuyucu-dinleyici Sorumluluğu’; Ankara University, Institute of Social Sciences, Dissertation, Ankara, 2013. [Women Poets and Their Poetry in Man’yōshū -Cognitive Poetics, Reader Responsibility Approach] (Abstract, Table of contents and bibliography in English- The full text in Turkish is available online)
――――, “Sayılarla Man’yōshū’da İsmi Bilinen Kadın Şairler ve Tür-Kategori Açısından Şiirleri”, Türkiye Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi (Turkish Journal of Social Research), V. 172, p. 377-395, 2013. [Onymous Women Poets in Man’yōshū and Their Poetry in Terms of Poetic Forms and Categories] (Abstract in English)
――――, “Murasaki Shikibu’nun, Günlüğünde Gerçeği Kaydetme Çabası ve Yöntemi”, in Türkiye’de Japonya Çalışmaları -I-, Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Publishing, p. 260-281, 2012.[Murasaki Shikibu’s Endeavour and Method of “Recording the Verity” in Her Diary] (Abstract in English)
――――, “Murasaki Shikibu ve Heian Dönemi”, in Murasaki Shikibu’nun Günlüğü, İş Bankası Kültür Publishing, p. xi-xlv, 2009. [Murasaki Shikibu and Heian Period] (Abstract in English)
――――, Heian Dönemi Kadın Edebiyatı, Ankara University, Japanese Language and Literature Dept, BA Thesis, Ankara, 2007. [The Heian Period Women’s Literature] (Abstract in English)
ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS
Esen, E. “Koten bungaku oyobi hon’yakuron” [Classical Literature and Translation Theory]. Paper presented at the 4th International Workshop: Waka Poetry around the World: Viewing Reception and Transformation of Japanese Culture through Multilingual Translation, Waseda University Institute for Advanced Study (WIAS), Tokyo (Online/Hybrid). 2023, September 5th. [Presentation in Japanese: 「古典文学および翻訳論」 第4回研究会「世界の中の和歌―多言語翻訳を通して見る日本文化の受容と変容―」 早稲田大学高等研究所].
Esen, Esin. Japon Kadın Edebiyatı- Başlangıcından 11. Yüzyıla Kadar– JİKAD. Online Zoom Seminar. İzmir. 16. Mayıs. 2021. [Seminar in Turkish. Translation of the title: Japanese Women Literature from the beginning to 11th Century]
Esen, Esin. Japon Edebiyatında Waka Şiiri – Başlangıcından 13. Yüzyıla Kadar Şiir Örnekleriyle. Mimar Sinan Güzel Sanatlar Üniversitesi. İstanbul. Online Seminar. 15.Nisan.2021. [Seminar in Turkish. Translation of the title: Waka Poetry in Japanese Literature- from the beginning to 13th Century]
Esen, E., “文化的差異を翻訳するということ：日本語→トルコ語文芸翻訳の視点から”, Zoom Conference, トルコ文学研究会・日本トルコ交流講演会, 08 .08.2020 – Osaka, Japan [Translating Cultural Differences: Translation from Japanese to Turkish. Japanese-Turkish Intercultural Exchanges Symposium by Turkish Literature Association] [Please click the link for video]
Esen, E., “Yayıncılık Dünyasında, Japoncadan Türkçeye Edebi Çeviride Çeviri Yazı [Transkripsiyon] ve Bir Çevirmen Olarak Hebonshiki Tercihim”, Panel, Video Presentation, International Japanese Language and Education Symposium JADEUS 2017; 3-4 .07.2016 – Tekirdağ, Turkey [The Transcription of Japanese into Turkish in Literary Works and My Hebonshiki Choice as a Translator]
――――, “Sasameyuki [Nazlı Kar] Romanında 1936-1941 Arasında Japonya’dan Kadın İmgeleri“, XX.yy.da Kadın ve Savaş Konferansı, 09.December.2016. [Women’s Images from Japan in Sasameyuki Between 1936-1941; The War and The Women in the 20th Century Conference]
――――, “The Intralingual Translations of Murasaki Shikibu Nikki: A Comparative Study through the Reader Responsibility, The International Workshop on Intralingual Translation, Boğaziçi University, 27-28 November 2014, published abstract, p. 7-8. (Abstract in English)
――――, “Murasaki Shikibu’nun, Günlüğünde “Öteki”nin Bakışından Kendini Anlatması” Writing Women’s Lives International Symposium, İstanbul, 19-20 April,2014. [Narrating Self, Through “The Other” in the Diary of Lady Murasaki] (Abstract in English)
――――, “Man’yōshū’da İki Ukareme Şiiri, ‘Okuyucu-dinleyici Sorumluluğu’ Açısından”, Japanese Studies Conference in Turkey -II-, İstanbul, 14-16 June, 2013. [2 Ukaremes’ Poems in Man’yōshū in Terms of ‘Reader-listener Responsibility] (Abstract in English)
――――, “Plants in the Diary of Lady Murasaki Shikibu and their Use in the Text” The International Symposium “European Discourses on Japan, Plants in Japanese Culture, İstanbul, 14-15 September, 2012. (Presentation in English, Abstract in English)
――――, “Murasaki Shikibu’nun, Günlüğünde Gerçeği Kaydetme Çabası ve Yöntemi”, Japanese Studies Conference in Turkey -I-, İstanbul, 4-6 June, 2010. [Murasaki Shikibu’s Endeavour and Method of “Recording the Verity” in Her Diary] (Abstract in English)
――――, “Murasaki Shikibu ve Kendini Yazma: Doğrudan ve Dolaylı İfade”, International Multidisciplinary Women’s Congress, İzmir, 13-16 October, 2009. Published Abstract: International Multidisciplinary Women’s Congress, Abstracts, Izmir, p. 146. [Narrating Self and The Diary of Lady Murasaki Shikibu: Direct and Indirect Expression] (Abstract in Turkish)
BOOK TRANSLATIONS
Dazai, Osamu, Villon’un Karısı. Çev. Esin Esen. İstanbul: Sel Publishing. 2023 [Original titles:富嶽百景、１２月８日、薄明、ヴィヨンの妻]
Tanizaki, Jun’ichirō, Nazlı Kar, Çev. Esin Esen, Can Publishing, 2015 [Turkish translation of Sasameyuki]
Shindō, Etsuko, Kapadokya’da Çatra Patralar, Trans. Esin Esen, Can Çocuk Publishing, Contemporary World Literature Series, 2012 (Japanese children’s book translated from Japanese, original title: Tsukiyo no Çatora Patora)
Shikibu, Murasaki, Murasaki Shikibu’nun Günlüğü, Trans. Esin Esen, İş Bankası Kültür Publishing, Hasan Ali Yücel Classics Series, 2009. (Diary of Heian Period woman writer Lady Murasaki, translated from classical Japanese, original title: Murasaki Shikibu Nikki)
EDITORSHIPS
Ataman Koç, Emine. Ishō ga Kataru Hanayome 装 が 語 る 花 嫁/ Kıyafetlerin Diliyle Gelinler [Brides Through the Language of Clothes]. Bilingual book Turkish-Japanese. Japanese Translator Chieko Adachi. Editor: Esin Esen. Istanbul: ESN Akademi, 2024. (First publication in 2023)
Esen, Esin (ed). Kotodama İstanbul Academia 1. İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022 (Turkish)
Esen, Esin (ed). Kotodama İstanbul Academia 2. İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022 (Turkish)
Esin Esen, Ryō Miyashita (ed.), Miyashita Ryō, Shaping the Field of Translation in Japanese ↔ Turkish Contexts I, Berlin: Peter Lang, 2019. [Please see publisher’s page for details] ISBN: 978-3-631-78935-3
Ryō Miyashita, Esin Esen, (ed.), Shaping the Field of Translation in Japanese ↔ Turkish Contexts II, Berlin: Peter Lang, 2019. [Please see publisher’s page for details] ISBN: 978-3-631-78173-9
Esen, Esin (ed). Kotodama İstanbul Kokorozashi 5. İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022 [Bilingual books in Japanese and Turkish]
Esen, Esin (ed). Kotodama İstanbul Kokorozashi 4. İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022 [Bilingual books in Japanese and Turkish]
Esen, Esin (ed). Kotodama İstanbul Kokorozashi 3. İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022 [Bilingual books in Japanese and Turkish]
Esen, Esin (ed). Kotodama İstanbul Kokorozashi 2. İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022 [Bilingual books in Japanese and Turkish]
Esen, Esin (ed). カメ子の魔法からおばあちゃんを救え！[Kameko no Maho Kara Obaachan wo Sukue!] Trans. Nanao Kokufu. Author: Havva Mutlu. Kotodama İstanbul Çeviri Dizisi. İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022 (Editor in chief from Japanese to Turkish translation) [Book in Japanese. Translation of the title: Rescue my grandmother from Kameko’s magic]
Esin Esen, Ikuko Suzuki (ed.). “Kotodama İstanbul – Hajimari 2015, Arkeoloji ve Sanat Yayınları, İstanbul, 2016. [Bilingual books in Japanese and Turkish]
“Kültürel Etkileşimler: Japonya” Dosyası, Kurgu Düşün Sanat Edebiyat Dergisi, 15. sayı, 2015.
PROJECTS
Esen created and directed multidisciplinary projects on Japan and Türkiye, as well as in the field of translation studies. She has led every stage—from initial concept to final production—coordinating an international network of over 300 contributors, including scholars, specialists, and artists. These collaborations have resulted in 21 books published in Turkish, Japanese, English, or Spanish, along with 2 bilingual exhibitions. [Please find the full references for the books and exhibitions in the related sections of this CV.] These projects have shaped her professional perspective; as she states: “Being a part of every stage of these large-scale productions, working together one-on-one with such a diverse and unique network, over 10 years has given me an experience that goes far beyond that of an individual researcher.”
Digital Humanities Projects:
2025– Present: The Yazıcı Project AI-driven Scholarly Translation System Design,
Focused on reproducing author-specific style, this project aims to translate Prof. Dr. Mine Yazıcı’s complete works (4 volumes) by modeling her original English scholarly tone. Within this framework, Esen formed and trained a team of AI Editors. The AI editors prepared the terminology list, and by utilizing the system Esen built, they generated and edited the translations. Esen designed the system architecture as follows: In the first phase, she developed a text analysis method to model Yazıcı’s style. With AI support, she transformed this method into prompts. She then uploaded Yazıcı’s English articles to a closed-circuit system and applied these prompts to generate a detailed style sheet to model Yazıcı’s English writing tone. Following this, she utilized a different closed-circuit AI system for the translation phase. She uploaded the terminology list created by the editors and the custom style sheet she created and other datasets into this new system. To be used in this system, she created a master prompt for translation that operates at a 0.1 temperature setting and determines how the system extracts data and performs the translation. Ultimately, this AI-driven academic translation system designed by Esen outperforms standard translation tools in both terminological and stylistic accuracy. It produces scholarly English translations that successfully reflect Yazıcı’s authentic voice.
2026 – Present: Architecting a Digital Intellectual Self
Current Phase: Structural Development & Data Set Curation. This project focuses on building an interconnected database by adding a hierarchical YAML framework that maps Esen’s research, translation and literary works. Currently in the structural development phase, the project digitizes the theories, methods, and connections within her works. This unified map aims to serve as the foundation for a closed-circuit system designed to train AI to replicate Esen’s knowledge and mind. By linking decades of data, the project establishes a private knowledge base.
Academic Publication and Network Coordination Projects
2017-2019: Translation Studies in Japanese↔Turkish Context Book Project: Created and co-edited this research project with Prof. Miyashita, focusing on the scholarly analysis of translation between Japanese and Turkish. Esen, built the theoretical framework and managed the entire publication process—from academic networking and author coordination to final production and project coordination. The project resulted in two volumes featuring 24 essays by 22 international scholars (including Prof. Wakabayashi, Prof. Kurultay, Prof. Berk Albachten, and Prof. Misawa), providing a multidisciplinary outlook across Translation Studies, Japanology, Turkology, Philosophy, Japanese Literature, Linguistics, History, Ottoman Studies, and Education, published by Peter Lang International Academic Publishers
2021–2022: Turkology in Japan and Japanology in Türkiye Book Project.
Created and directed this international project focusing on the Turkish Studies Japan and Japanese Studies Türkiye. As the editor and project coordinator, managed the entire process of the series—from networking and editorial review to book design and publication management. Published as two volumes featuring 18 scholarly articles covering various aspects of Japanology and Turkology. To provide a necessary comprehensive framework for the series, within the first volume, Esen conducted and published a detailed schematic analysis of Japanese studies in Türkiye based on a large-scale bibliography.
Visual Art for Classical Japanese Literature Projects: Managed 60 participants across both projects to produce works exploring the interaction between classical literature and visual expression in the Turkish-Japanese context
2020–2025: Ogura Hyakunin Isshu – Karuta Visual Art Project
Created, directed, and coordinated a five-year international project to produce a unique Turkish set of karuta cards for the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu. This project stands out globally through Turkish-Japanese cultural interactions in the visual representation of classical poems. Esen brought together nearly 60 contributors, including both professional artists (specializing in miniature, marbling, illumination, sculpture, ceramics, sumi-e, modern/digital painting, film, and photography) and amateurs in art from the Japanese-Turkish world, such as writers, academics, guides, and individuals with unique personal stories related to Japan. Esen, provided participants with video presentations and lectures on the poems’ historical context. The project resulted in 100 images across nearly 30 different genres, ranging from traditional arts and fine arts to modern media and unique handicrafts. Performed the entire technical production, including the design of 100 karuta cards, the book layout, and giant-size karuta for exhibition displays with QR codes added for bilingual (Turkish-Japanese) audio recitations. Secured publication funding from the Japan Foundation. Designed and organized the exhibition, which continues as a traveling exhibition. (Please find information about books and exhibition in related tittles in this resume)
2022–2024 : Koten Manga Project on Heian Period Women’s Literature:
Created, authored, and directed a trilingual (Turkish, Japanese, English) manga project. Converted her previously written short story on Heian Women’s literature into manga scripts (including The Pillow Book, Tosa Nikki, Kagerō Nikki, Izumi Shikibu Nikki, and Murasaki Shikibu Nikki, with a first chapter on the Heian Capital and waka poetry). Each chapter includes excerpts translated from classical Japanese. Esen, invited 6 illustrators to the project and provided them with explanations on the Heian Period (architecture, costumes, and lifestyle etc.) alongside detailed information about each author and her work. While each illustrator worked in a different style and technique, these diverse approaches created a unique aesthetic that reflects the distinctiveness of each classical author. Esen translated the manga scripts into English and Japanese (including modern Japanese versions of classical texts). Upon completion of the illustrations, managed the manga layout and lettering for all three languages for both the book and the exhibition. Conceptualized the exhibition as a “Tachiyomi Manga-ten” based on Japanese daily life culture; organized and coordinated the publication and exhibition process. The exhibition is designed as a traveling exhibition for recurring displays. (Please find information about books and exhibition in related tittles in this resume)
“Türkiye in Japan, Japan in Türkiye” Projects
2022–2023 | The Hanayome Project
Emine Ataman Koç is an author with many projects on Gördes culture. One of her projects is on the traditional bridal costumes of Gördes. Esen served as the publication consultant and book project editor. As the book editor, she guided the author on content and structure, and the selection of visuals. As the publication consultant, she managed the entire process publishing including, developing the bilingual (Turkish-Japanese) edition, Esen conceptualized and executed a bilingual layout, and personally processed and prepared for publication over a hundred visual elements, performing the entire technical production, book design, and cover design. The project resulted in two distinct editions—a bilingual Turkish-Japanese version and a Turkish version—published.
2012–2022: Kotodama Istanbul: Bilingual Publication Project (Vols. 1–5)
Created and directed and physically designed a decade-long bilingual (Turkish-Japanese) book project series producing unique cultural and intellectual content on Türkiye and Japan. For these books Esen brought together a global network of over 200 contributors, including scholars, writers, artists, and teachers among others. Managed the project from its 2012 conceptualization to final publications. Co-edited the first volume (Hajimari, 2016) and served as the sole editor for the subsequent four volumes (Kokorozashi series, 2022). Compiled a wide range of content, including scholarly articles, field-specialized essays, interviews or literary works. Supervised the extensive human-led translation process for the bilingual editions, ensuring cultural and stylistic nuance across all five volumes. Esen also undertook the book and cover design, implementing a bilingual flip-book format (Turkish and Japanese) to reflect the project’s dual-language nature.
2019–2022: Turkish Juvenile Literature Translation Project
Supervised the translation and cultural adaptation of Havva Mutlu’s book into Japanese. Worked closely with translator Nanao Kokufu on a chapter-by-chapter comparative review, providing detailed linguistic notes to ensure cultural and stylistic accuracy. The project introduced this UNESCO World Heritage-themed contemporary Turkish story to Japan, published under the title: カメ子の魔法からおばあちゃんを救え！ [Save Grandma from Kameko’s (Mrs.Turtles) Magic!].
ADVISORY ON HER EXPERTISE
1995-Present: Throughout her career, alongside her academic and professional roles, Esen has provided direct expertise and guidance in hundreds of consultations across various sectors, including institutions and international companies, as well as to individuals such as academics and artists, but not limited to. Her advisory covers various methods, ranging from reporting and project planning to analysis of existing professional fields and networking. She provides briefings based on her expertise to facilitate institutional decision-making and international collaborations.
Selected Cases:
2023 October 5th: Briefing to The Japan Foundation & Embassy of Japan in Ankara: Provided a briefing titled “日→土の文芸翻訳” [Literary Translation from Japanese to Turkish] for officials from the Japan Foundation and the Culture Section of the Embassy of Japan in Ankara. Presented a comprehensive field analysis on the current state of Japanese literature in Türkiye, including translation trends and publisher dynamics, to provide information for the organizers of the upcoming 2024 Translation Workshop.
The scope of this advisory session addressed key areas such as: “トルコにおける日本研究の中で日↔土翻訳研究” [Japanese-Turkish Translation Research within Japanese Studies in Türkiye (2021)], “トルコにおける日↔土翻訳研究者” [Japanese-Turkish Translation Researchers in Türkiye], “トルコにおける翻訳研究とその中で日→土の翻訳研究” [Translation Studies in Türkiye and the Specific Case of Japanese-Turkish Translation], “トルコにおける翻訳研究や教育” [Translation Research and Education in Türkiye], “トルコにおける日→土の翻訳の教育の問題点” [Issues in Japanese-Turkish Translation Education], “トルコにおける日本文学の翻訳者” [Translators of Japanese Literature in Türkiye], “トルコにおける日本文学” [Japanese Literature in Türkiye], “トルコにおける日本文学翻訳者の実態（産業翻訳を主としている、大学教員と兼職、等々）と問題点や課題” [The Reality of Japanese Literature Translators: Professional Status, Dual Roles as Academics/Commercial Translators, and Emerging Challenges], and “日本文学日本語原文から翻訳に見える問題点” [Problems in Direct Translations of Japanese Literature in Turkish].
2009–2021 (Intermittently): Editorial & Content Reporting for İş Kültür Publications (Hasan Ali Yücel Classics Series): Provided expert evaluation and scholarly reporting on potential classical Japanese literature titles for publication.
2011–Present: Project & Editorial Advisory for UNESCO World Heritage Children’s Book Series: Provided editorial and content advisory for author Havva Mutlu on a book series focusing on Türkiye’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Involved in the project from its initial concept to the final publication phase, providing guidance on content development, editorial review, and both domestic and international publication processes.
1995 October: Field Assistance & Networking for Japanese Tea Industry Representatives: Assisted a site visit and introductory networking program for a Japanese tea producer (Fukui et al.) in Türkiye including institutional meetings at ÇAYKUR
VISUAL WORKS
2012–Present: Book Cover & Exhibition Design: Since 2012, she has designed over 100 book covers for various titles as a personal creative interest. In addition to publication covers, she performed the visual layout and conceptual design for her multidisciplinary exhibitions, including the grand-scale karuta displays and manga panels. This ongoing practice involves developing a visual for each work based on its own story, bridging her scholarly research with a personal aesthetic approach.
1983–Present: Photography | Esen has been active in photography starting at age 14. She maintains a personal archive of over 10,000 images she has taken, including both analog (Zenit, Minolta) and digital formats such as color, black-and-white, and diapositive films, spanning a period from 1983 to the present. She has scanned and digitized all of her analog archives. In 1989, she received training at İFSAK and was a member of the association. During the 1990s, she presented her diapositives to limited audiences at her events, and her photography was published in various magazines. Her technical processing methods have evolved from past analog practices—including “darkroom” expertise in printing black-and-white photographs using an enlarger, and the manual selection, framing, and preparation of diapositives for presentation—into digital “lightroom” techniques to manipulate color photographs and create collages using photography software.
2015–Present: Video Editing & Screenwriting | As a personal interest in film editing held since her youth, Esen prepares amateur videos focusing on Japanese literature. She writes the scripts for these videos and selects their visual and/or musical elements. She performs the editing and montage using accessible digital software. These videos were created by Esen for events organized by the Turk Japon Vakfı, the Embassy of Japan, Japan-related associations, and universities, and they have been screened at various physical and online events. [Please find the video links in the TALKS section below.]
PUBLIC SCHOLARSHIP & CULTURAL IMPACT
Public Scholarship: EXHIBITIONS
Esen, E. Project Designer & Conceptual Designer: Ogura Şiirleriyle Görsel Buluşma: 60 Türk-Japon Sanatçının Görsel Eserleri [A Visual Encounter with Ogura Poems: Visual Artworks by 60 Turkish and Japanese Artists for Turkish Karuta Cards]. 20–27 December 2025. Ankara: Turkish Japanese Foundation. [Designed and organized this interactive exhibition featuring classical Japanese poems through grand-scale ‘karuta’ cards, where visual art meets QR-coded audio recitations. For more details, please see the Projects section.]
Esen, E. Project Director & Conceptual Designer: Wa Ülkesinin Kadınları 和が国の女 Bilingual Tachiyomi Manga-ten. Japon Kültür Evi. İstanbul. Between 21-09-2024/ 06-10-2024. [Event in 100th anniversary of Turkish-Japanese Relations]. Organization: Japon Kültür Evi, ESN Akademi. Project. Esin Esen. Curator: Erhan Özışıklı. Illustrators: Rukiye Derdiyok, Erhan Özışıklı, Irmak Dündar, Ayşegül Kalaycıoğlu, Doruk Mert Aşkın, Burcu Köse. / Re-exhibited in Ankara: Turkish Japanese Foundation (23 Jan – 2 Feb 2025) [ Please see the detailed info under the Projects section above].
Public Scholarship: TALKS
Esen, E. Ogura’ya Öyküler Yayın Lansmanı ve Türk Japon Vakfı Sergi Açılışından Canlı Yayın. Online Sunum. 20.12.2025 [Ogura: Book Launch and Exhibition Opening. Live Streamed Presentation & Live connection to the Ankara exhibition opening at the Turkish Japanese Foundation – English subtitles are available in the video]
Esen, E. Koten Manga Sergi Açılış Konuşması Online Sunum. Japon Kültür Evi. 21.09.2024. [Koten Manga Exhibition Opening Speech. Online Presentation]
Esen, E. Japon Edebiyatından Kadın İmgeleri – Başlangıcından 1950’ye kadar. Boğaziçi Üniversitesi Edebiyat Kulübü. 03.05.2024 Canlı Yayın. [Esen, E. Images of Women in Japanese Literature – From the Beginnings to 1950. Boğaziçi University Literature Club. 03.05.2024 Live Broadcast.] [In this presentation, Esen introduced the manifesto for a new literary genre she named the ‘live novel‘ and created the first “live novel” in her live broadcast. Designed for the digital age, this genre emphasizes the author’s live online presence while using all the features of the existing novel genre. In the live novel genre, the author prepares for writing before going online by creating the structure of the narrative, including the plot and character design, and takes notes to use during the online creation phase. Then, based on this prepared material, the author creates the novel live in front of a screen. Since it is planned and prepared earlier, it is not improvisation. It is different from traditional storytelling because the author is producing a completely new work. It is also not stand-up, because it uses techniques of the novel genre. In addition to these techniques, the author can use different known or unknown digital tools as well as body language, tone of voice, music, visuals and videos. (Always citing other people’s works). For example, in this context, intertextuality can be shown by playing that specific movie scene. (There are many possibilities). This manifesto, proposing a new literary genre, is not against anything that already exists. It can be seen as a suggestion to bring the tools and the way of thinking of the digital age into literature. In her manifesto for the new genre, she lays out the basic condition of creating a work with these tools, focusing on ethics and defining the ‘absolute must’ for the digital age: ‘Anything that does not exist in my mind or knowledge cannot be my work!’]
Esen, E. Japoncadan Edebi Çeviri “Villon’un Karısı” Ekseninde. Koç Üniversitesi. 8.1.2024 Canlı Online Sunum. [Literary Translation from Japanese: A Case Study of “Villon’s Wife”. Live Online Presentation]
Esen, E., Japon Waka Şiirini Sevmek [Loving Japanese Waka Poetry], Video Presentation, Japan Festival by Embassy of Japan in Turkey , 20.12.2020. [Please click the link for video]
――――,A Spring Journey in Japan through Waka Poetry, Video Presentation at Koto Performer Atsuko Suetomi’s Concert: Spring Breeze from Japan, Japan Week by Istanbul Japanese Consulate, 17.03.2018. [The video with English subtitle ise available on my youtube channel]
――――, The Spring in Japanese Waka Poetry, Video Presentation at Koto Performer Atsuko Suetomi’s Concert: Japanese Koto Music and Waka Poetry, UTEF International Trabzon Literature Festival, 17.04.2018.
――――, A Spring Journey in Japan through Waka Poetry, Video Presentation at Koto Performer Atsuko Suetomi’s Concert: Spring Breeze from Japan, IFES International Fine Arts and Fine Arts Education Symposium, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, 28.4.2018.
――――, Autum Waka Poems, Video Presentation at Koto Performer Atsuko Suetomi’s Concert: Autumn Breeze from Japan, Türk-Japon Vakfı, 20.10.2017. [In the video link English subtitle is available]
――――, The Book Cover Design of Kotodama İstanbul – 『ことだま・イスタンブル』の表紙, Video presentation with Japanese subtitles, 第二回日土友好コンサート～末富敦子 [2nd Turkish-Japanese Friendship Concert by Koto Performer Atsuko Suetomi], Tokyo, 9.07.2016.
――――, The Book Cover Design of Kotodama İstanbul – 『ことだま・イスタンブル』の表紙, Video presentation with Japanese subtitles, 23.th International Tokyo Book Fair, Yunus Emre Instutute Tokyo-Stand, 23-25.09.2016.
Public Scholarship: TRANSLATIONS PUBLISHED (BOOK CHAPTERS, JOURNALS AND IN OTHER MEDIA)
Etsuko SHINDŌ. KOTODAMA İSTANBUL –KOTODAMANIN GÖTÜRDÜĞÜ YER. Kotodama İstanbul Kokorozashi 3. İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022: 19-22.[Translation from Japanese]
Mayu TSUKUI. “MAYU, SİMİT YER MİSİN?” Kotodama İstanbul Kokorozashi 3. İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022: 73-77 .[Translation from Japanese]
Yukie MASHIMA. BİR MESLEK OLARAK ÇEVİRMENLİK. Kotodama İstanbul Kokorozashi 3. İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022: 95-100 .[ Translated from Japanese]
Tsukiko WATARI YAMADA, BÜYÜKBABAM YAMADA TORAJIRŌ’DAN MİRAS, TÜRKİYE SEVDASI. Trans. Esin Esen Kotodama İstanbul Kokorozashi 2. İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022: 19-26. .[ Translated from Japanese]
Kahoru NIIBE SANCAR. KAHORU’NUN MACERALARI. Trans. Esin Esen Kotodama İstanbul Kokorozashi 2. İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022: 57-63. .[ Translated from Japanese]
Ryōsuke USHIDA. İSTANBUL’DA, İŞ DÜNYASINDA ÜÇ YIL. Trans. Esin Esen Kotodama İstanbul Kokorozashi 2. İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022: 79-83. .[ Translated from Japanese]
Kudō Caymaz, Rie “Bir Japon Minyatürcü”, Trans. Esin Esen Kurgu Journal of Arts and Ideas, 15. sayı, s. 82-84, 2015. (Translated from Japanese)
Miyashita, Ryō , “Divan Şiirinin Japoncaya Çevrilmesine Dair Düşünceler”, Trans. Esin Esen Kurgu Journal of Arts and Ideas, 15. sayı, s.94-99, 2015. (Translated from Japanese)
Shindō, Etsuko , “Bir Japon Yazarın Gözünden Japonya’da Çocuk Kitapları , Trans. Esin Esen, Kurgu Journal of Arts and Ideas, 15. sayı, s. 37-41, 2015. (Translated from Japanese)
Trumbull, Charles , “Beş Balonlu Sabah – Güneybatı Amerika ve Haiku- Trans. Esin Esen, Kurgu Journal of Arts and Ideas, 15. sayı, s. 67-69, 2015. (Translated from English)
Machado, Antonio, “Şarkılar ve deyişler XXIX”, Trans. Esin Esen, Kurgu Journal of Arts and Ideas, V. 13, p. 84, 2014. (Translated from Spanish into Turkish, Original title: Proverbios y cantares XXIX, English title: Proverbs and songs XXIX )
Trumbull, Charles , “Mevsimlerin Önemi”, Trans. Esin Esen, Kurgu Journal of Arts and Ideas, V. 13, p. 80-83, 2014. (Translation of an essay on Haiku. Translated from English into Turkish, English title: The Importance of Seasons )
Miyashita, Ryō , Japonya’da Orhan Pamuk ve Çeviriye Dair Bazı Notlar” Trans. Esin Esen, Lacivert Journal of short stories and poetry, V. 40, p. 91-96, 2011 (translated from Japanese into Turkish, English title: Perception of Orhan Pamuk in Japan and notes on Translation)
Shindō, Etsuko, “Etsuko’dan Mektup” Trans. Esin Esen, Lacivert Journal of short stories and poetry, V. 39, p.31-32, 2011 (translated from Japanese into Turkish, English title: A Letter from Etsuko)
Shindō, Etsuko, “Japonya’dan Bir Ses”, Trans. Esin Esen, Haber Türk Newspaper, 2011 (translated from Japanese into Turkish, English title: A Voice from Japan)
Public Scholarship: ESSAYS & LITERARY WORKS
Esen, Esin. TÜRKİYE’DE JAPONYA – JAPONYA’DA TÜRKİYE TEMALI, İKİ DİLLİ ORTAK KİTAPLARDA ÇEVİRİ EDİTİNE DAİR ÇOK ÇEVİRMENLİ BİR ÖYKÜ. Çevirmen Öyküleri (Ed. Fadime Çoban). İstanbul: Aktif Yayınları. 2022: 70-82. (Çeviribilim öğrencileri için hazırlanan kitapta bölüm) [Essay in Turkish. Translation of the title: On proofreading the translations in the bilingual books themed Japan in Turkey and Turkey in Japan] (Essay in Turkish for the students of translation studies departments)
Esen, Esin. ÇOCUK KALBİM, KİTAPLAR VE KAPAKLARI. Kotodama İstanbul Kokorozashi 5 (Türkçe). İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022: 216-228 [Short story in Turkish. Translation of the title: My heart of My Childhood, Books and Covers]
Esen, Esin. 童心の笑心‐本、そして表紙. Kotodama İstanbul Kokorozashi 5 (Japonca- Japanese- 日本語版). Trans. Nanao KOKUFU. İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022: 244-256 [Short story in Japanese. Translation of the title: My heart of My Childhood, Books and Covers]
Kokufu, Nanao & Esen, Esin. “BABAANNEMİ, KAMEKO’NUN SİHRİNDEN KURTARALIM!” -Türkçeden Japoncaya Gençlik Romanı Çevirisi- Kotodama İstanbul Kokorozashi 5 (Türkçe). İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022: 125-140. [Essay in Turkish. Translation of the title:RASCUE MY GRANDMOTHER FROM KAMEKO’S MAGIC!” – Translation of a Juvenile Novel from Turkish to Japanese-]
Kokufu, Nanao & Esen, Esin. 「カメ子の魔法からおばあちゃんを救え！」 -トルコ語から日本語へ青少年文学翻訳作品-. .Kotodama İstanbul Kokorozashi 5 (Japonca- Japanese- 日本語版). Trans. Nanao KOKUFU. İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022: 137-160 [Essay in Japanese. Translation of the title:RASCUE MY GRANDMOTHER FROM KAMEKO’S MAGIC!” – Translation of a Juvenile Novel from Turkish to Japanese-]
Esen, Esin. UKAREME Mİ? JAPON KADIN EDEBİYATINDA MI? Kotodama İstanbul Kokorozashi 3 (Türkçe). İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022: 161-165 [Autobiographic essay in Turkish. Translation of the title: Ukareme? In Japanese Literature?]
Esen, Esin. うかれめって？女流歌人なの？ Kotodama İstanbul Kokorozashi 3 (Japonca- Japanese- 日本語版). İstanbul: Efe Akademi Yayınları. 2022: 189-194. [Autobiographic essay in Japanese. Translation of the title: Ukareme? Women Poets?]
Esen, E., “Çevirmenin Zihninin Parmak İzidir Çeviri”, Çevirmenin Sözlüğü, Arka Kapak Dergisi, Vol. 32 05.2018 [Translation is the Finger Print of the Translator’s Mind]
――――, “Kotodama ve İstanbul” Kotodama İstanbul -Hajimari 2015 -Türkçe, Arkeoloji ve Sanat Yayınları, İstanbul, 2016, p. 215-218. [Turkish, Kotodama and Istanbul]
――――, “Isutanburu to Kotodama ” Kotodama İstanbul -Hajimari 2015 -Japonca, Çev. Ikuko Suzuki, Arkeoloji ve Sanat Yayınları, İstanbul, 2016, p. 259-264. [Japanese, Kotodama and Istanbul]
――――, “Kadim Japonya’dan Kadın Sesleri” Kurgu Journal of Arts and Ideas, 15. sayı, p. 78-81, 2015. [The Voices of Women from Ancient Japan] [A short story on Japanese waka poetry by ancient Japanese women poets]
――――, “Murasaki Shikibu İstanbul’a Gelseydi!” Kurgu Journal of Arts and Ideas, 14. sayı, p. 110-112, 2015. [If Murasaki Shikibu Comes to İstanbul!] (Turkish translation of my essay in Subaru Journal)
――――, “Bilişsel Sürece Bir Saldırı mı? Ketum Kahraman” Kurgu Journal of Arts and Ideas,, 14. sayı, p. 45-46, 2015. [Is it a Violence against Cognitive Process? The Discreet Hero by Vargas] (Turkish Essay on Vargas and Discreet Hero-cognitive poetics aproach)
――――, “1930’ların Sonlarında Japonya’da Kadın Olmak: Gelenek ve Modernlik Arasında Bir Roman Kahramanı, Roman Kahramanları Journal V. 21, p. 27-32, İstanbul, Ocak-Mart 2015. [Being a Women in Japan in 1930’s: A Novel Heroine between the Tradition and the Modernism] (Turkish Essay on women characters of Sasameyuki and women history of that period)
――――, “Japon Şiiri mi? Haikuyu Duyduk Peki ya Waka?” Kurgu Journal of Arts and Ideas, V. 13, p. 75-79, 2014. [Japanese Poetry? We heard about Haiku but what about Waka?] (Turkish essay on Japanese waka poetry)
――――, “Isutanburu no Murasaki Shikibu, Heian-kyō no Esin” Subaru Literature Magazine, Japan, July 2014. (Essay in Japanese) [Murasaki in Istanbul, Esin in Heian-kyō]
――――, “Fantastik bir Türkiye Öyküsü…” İyi Kitap -Journal of Children’s books, V. 46, p. 18-19, 2012. (Interview in Turkish with the Japanese writer Etsuko Shindō) [A Fantastic Story on Turkey]
――――, “Wa Ülkesinin Kadınları“, Lacivert – Journal of short stories and poetry, V. 39, p. 62-69, 2011. [Women of Wa Country] (A short story on Heian Period Women Literature in Turkish)
――――, “Series of Articles and Photographic Essays on Antalya (Selected works including the Suna-İnan Kıraç Kaleiçi Museum and the Aspendos Concert; full index of titles currently unavailable),” Schwarz auf Weiss, Özgün Medya Yayıncılık, Ankara, 1999. (German-language periodical, Illustrated features).
――――, “Bir İnterrail Seyyahının Anılarından 2, Danimarka” Sanatsal Mozaik -Journal of Arts, V.32, p. 78-82, 1998. [A Memoir of an Interrail Traveler 2, Denmark] (Photography and essay in Turkish)
――――, “Bir İnterrail Seyyahının Anılarından 1, Düşler Kenti Paris” Sanatsal Mozaik -Journal of Arts, V.31, p. 76-81, 1998. ) [A Memoir of an Interrail Traveler 1, City of Dreams Paris] (Photography and essay in Turkish
――――, “Gülzemin Hanımın Düşlerinin Dokunduğu Yerde Dökülen Mürekkeple Yazılmış Hikâyat” Hayalet Gemi -Journal of literature, arts and culture, V.24, p. 15-19, 1995. [A Story Written with the Ink that Spilled from Ms. Gülzemin’s Dreams] (Short story in Turkish)
――――, “Eşyanın Sırları Üzerine Çağrışımlar” Hayalet Gemi -Journal of literature, arts and culture, V.22, p. 22-23, 1995. [Connotations on Secrets of Matter] (Essay in Turkish)
Esen, E., 2015, “Bilişsel Poetika Kavramının Türkçeye Aktarılması”, esinesen.com. (Turkish)
Esen, E., 2017, Japoncanın Türkçede Transkripsiyonu, esinesen.com.
Esen, E., 2019, “Japonya’da Yeni Bir Dönem Başlıyor: Reiwa,” esinesen.com (19.04.2019’da yazıldı. 30.04.2019’da yayınlandı) (Yazının tam metnine linkten ulaşabilirsiniz)
Public Scholarship: SELECTED REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS ABOUT ESİN ESEN
Usanmaz, Ceyhan. February 6, 2026. “Bir bellek oyunu olarak şiir!” [Poetry as a memory game!]. Bu Köşe Kitap Köşesi. Açık Radyo. Column (in Turkish).
Usanmaz, Ceyhan. February 7, 2025. “‘Kotodama İstanbul’ derlemeleri vesilesiyle Japonolog Esin Esen’le söyleşi” [An interview with Japanologist Esin Esen on the occasion of the ‘Kotodama Istanbul’ compilations]. Bu Köşe Kitap Köşesi. Açık Radyo. Podcast (in Turkish).
Atmaca, Volkan, Esin Esen: “Başka bir Dazai keşfettim. Hayran oldum.” Sanat Kritik. 5.3.2024.
Suetomi, Atsuko. “Büyülü Bir Dünyada Dolaşmak- Klasik Japon Edebiyatı Peşinde” Japonolog Doç. Dr. Esin Esen Röportajı. Anadolu Life online dergi. Pp. 26-29. Haziran, 2021 [Interview on online magazine. Translation of the title: Wandering in a Magical World – Pursuing Classical Japanese Literature]
Usanmaz, Ceyhan. September 3, 2020. “Yazıdan çok çok önce: Eski Japon Edebiyatında Halk Şarkıları” [Long, long before writing: Folk Songs in Old Japanese Literature]. Haftanın Kitabı. Açık Radyo. Column (in Turkish).
Radio Broadcast on Dr. Esin Esen and her Presentation of Autumn Waka Poetry, Müzik Ataşesi Radio Program, TRT 3, 10.10.2017 (21. – 27. minutes).
Karaağaç, Ece, Esin Esen ile söyleşi: “Sözün ruhu” İstanbul’da, Sabit Fikir Journal, 08, 2016. [Interview with Esin Esen: “The Spirit of the Word (Kotodama) in Istanbul] (Interview with Esin Esen on the Kotodama İstanbul as a Book Project and her Other Works)
A Japanese News on the Turkish Translation of Murasaki Shikibu Nikki and the Translator Esin Esen, broadcasted on TRT Japanese, 8.05.2015.
Numata, Sayoko, “Shindo Etsuko-cho ‘Tsukiyo no Chatora Patora’ Torukogo Honyakuban Kanko ni Yosete” Waseda Journal of Islamic Sciences, Vol.9, p.141-147, 2013. [About the Turkish Translation of Tsukiyo no Chatora Patoro by Etsuku Shindō] (Contains interview with the translator Esin Esen and references to her translations)
esinesen.com 