Kamakura: Fact and Legend, has long been the definitive work on Kamakura. This classic book is the lifetime achievement of Countess Iso Mutsu (née Gertrude Ethel Passingham), a talented, inquisitive Englishwoman who against all odds married a Japanese diplomat at the turn of the century, and so came to live most of her life in this beautiful city. Iso Mutsu was one of the first to discover that much of the magic of Kamakura today lies in fascinating historical events of the past, among them: the brilliant conquests of Minamoto no Yoritomo, the defiant dance of Shizuka Gozen at Hachiman Shrine, and the amazing rescue of Nichiren at Katase. Her brilliantly crafted accounts of these events, interwoven with walking tours of Kamakura, introduce the city's most important historical sites and explain why they are so famous. Kamakura: Fact and Legend, the only book that Iso Mutsu wrote, is a testament to the devotion with which she succeeded in unlocking Kamakura's secrets for the outside world. The inspiration and reference for later works on Kamakura, this classic volume is both the original and the most in-depth guide to an ancient capital that continues to delight and amaze the traveler.
