Families will soon be able to walk in the footsteps of the Scottish Samurai as part of a series of events celebrating his life.
Thomas Blake Glover fans can now take trails around Aberdeen and Fraserburgh, where they will be able to see the buildings and areas pivotal to his success.
The trails were launched yesterday to coincide with a new exhibition designed to raise awareness of Glover, who is one of the region’s most successful expatriates.
Glover is regarded as a national hero in Japan for his role in uniting warring tribes, sparking the country’s industrial revolution, and founding the Mitibishu motor company as well as setting up a brewery.
He became known as the Scottish Samurai and is so popular there that his home in Nagasaki is a tourist destination – but his journey began in Fraserburgh where he was born in 1838, before leaving Scotland as a teenager.
The exhibition in the Aberdeen Maritime Museum features a model of Jo Sho Maru, the warship Glover built in Aberdeen, as well as bottles of Kirin beer from the brewery he set up and a suit of samurai armour.
It is hoped this will spark fresh interest in one of the north-east’s most successful sons.
Lord Provost George Adam said yesterday at the launch: “Thomas Baker Glover came from humble beginnings in the north-east of Scotland and became one of the most influential and instrumental people in the development of Japan in that period in history.
“It is only right and fitting that we celebrate the work and life of Glover, who achieved many great works in his life and is still honoured today in Japan.
“His story is fascinating and this should let more people learn about him.
“There is something in it for everyone.”
The event was also attended by Japan’s Deputy Consul General in Scotland Rumiko Ishigami, who explained how highly thought of Glover is in Japan.
“Everyone visits his house in Nagasaki, I live in Toyko but I’ve been there to visit it,” she said.
“When people in Japan think of Scotland they think of Glover.
It’s great to have a display about him right in the centre of the city.”
As well as the exhibition and trail, a booklet has also been released detailing his life story.