Japanese Self in Cultural Logic

"The book expands the discussion in relation to larger constructions of the inner and cosmological self. Unlike the social self, which views itself in relation to the "other," the inner layer involves a reflexivity in which self communicates with self. While the social self engages in dialogue or trialogue, the inner self communicates through monologue or soliloquy. The cosmological layer, which centers around transcendental beliefs and fantasies, is examined and the analysis supplemented with comments on aesthetics. Throughout, Lebra applies her methodology to dozens of Japanese examples and makes relevant comparisons with North American culture and notions of self

Logical models for self analysis : opposition and contingency -- Social self in front and interior zones : Omote and Uchi -- Social self in back and exterior zones : Ura and Soto, anomalous counterparts to Omote and Uchi -- The inner, reflexive self : interiority and exteriority in contingency -- Self in cosmology and aesthetics -- Epilogue : in defense of Japan studies