Thomas Blake Glover was born in Fraserburgh on the 6th of June 1838. For the first six years of his life he lived at
number 15 Commerce Street in Fraserburgh. His father was the chief coastguard in Fraserburgh, he was English and his
mother was A Scot from Fordyce, Banffshire. His father was formerly an Officer in the Royal Navy. Thomas had 6
brothers and a sister. The house no longer remains because it was destroyed after a bombing by the German Luftwaffe Air Force during World
War 2.
In 1851 the family moved to Bridge of Don in Aberdeen. They lived at 79 Balgownie Road.
The Victorian Home is open to the public
Thomas Blake Glover - Japan
Upon leaving school Thomas Blake Glover started work for a trading company and was soon travelling the World,
becoming a successful trader in weapons and ships. His travels took him to Japan with one of his brothers when they
both worked for the tea merchant Jardine, Matheson & Co. during the late 1850s and early
1860s. In 1861 he formed his own trading company. He lived in Nagasaki where in 1863 he built a house on the Minami Yamate
hillside which overlooks Nagasaki Harbour. This still
remains as the oldest Western style building in Japan. Over
2 million people visit it each year. It is known as Glover House and boasts a stunning garden. It is Japan's top tourist
attraction.
Maw Broon fae the Sunday Post has published a cookbook full of her favourite Scottish and family recipes.
Read More About It Or Buy Now!
During his time in Japan Glover achieved a great deal. He helped the Samurai to overthrow their military leader,
the Shogun. This action helped to restore The Emperor to his throne. This earned Glover the nicknames The Broch
Samurai and The Scottish Samurai.
Thomas Blake Glover - Mitsubishi
Glover was also a key part in the industrialisation of Japan. After commissioning three warships to be built
at Aberdeen shipyards (including the Jho Sho Maru which was their first iron-clad warship) for the Japanese Navy he formed his own shipbuilding company. This developed into the company
Mitsubishi after his bankruptcy in 1870. He remained in the company as a Consultant. He also introduced the first
trains to Japan and the first mechanised coal mine. He owned the
Takashima Coal Mine and helped found the Kirin Beer Company.
Along with other foreign residents they built and funded the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral at the Minami Yamate
hillside in 1862.
Madame Butterfly
Thomas Blake Glover married Tsura, the daughter of a Samurai, in 1867. The couple are thought to have inspired
John Luther Long to write the story that Puccini later based the Opera Madame Butterfly based on. Tsura often wore
a butterfly emblem on her clothes. They had two children called Hana and Tomisaburo, who was nicknamed Tommy
by his father. Read more information about Madame Butterfly.
He was the first non Japanese citizen to be awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, one of the highest honours
of the Country.
Thomas Blake Glover died on the 13th December 1911. He was 73 years old.
Thomas Blake Glover Scholarship
There is a yearly award called the Thomas Blake Glover Scholarship which goes to a Nagasaki University student
one year and a Fraserburgh student the next year. Each student has the opportunity to visit the other Country to give
them a taste of the culture and hospitality of Nagasaki and Fraserburgh.
Author and Professor of Creative Writing at Aberdeen University, Alan Spence, has written a book called The Pure Land which is a fictionalised and factual account of the
life of Thomas Blake Glover, The Broch Scottish Samurai. Chapters include his life story in Fraserburgh and Aberdeen
and then continue with his adventures in Japan. The book can be pre-ordered from
Amazon
and free delivery is available. Alan Spence was Scottish writer of the year in 1995.
We also run the
www.findextrawork.co.uk website where there is information about earning more money from a
range of part time and full time jobs which can be done at home or out and about. Visit for more information.
Events At Glover House
Glover House, the family home of Thomas Blake Glover who was nicknamed the Scottish Samurai, and a fine example of a Scottish Victorian House is open this summer and at certain
times throughout the year. Described below are the events at Glover House:
Murder Mystery Night
Saturday 8 March 2008 - Mystery of Howling Hollow: Blitz Entertainment presents a murder mystery night at Glover House at 7:30pm. Refreshments will be available.
Booking is essential and this Aberdeen events costs £15. Phone (01224) 709301
Japanese Fun
Japanese Fun is a series of 5 Saturday drop in workshops from 2 until 4pm. Admission is free when you visit Glover House (prices are £3 for adults, £2 for children and £7 for families). The Japanese Fun workshop is devised and run by WhiteSpace and Aberdeen Art Gallery &Museums, and supported by the City Growth Fund Energising Aberdeen.
Tanabata
Tanabata takes place on the 7th July 2007 and is a special day, being the seventh day of the seventh month, when your dreams might come true. It iis an ancient Japanese festival when boys and girls can write their hopes and wishes on paper and tie them onto a bamboo plant in the hope they will come true. The staff at Glover House are going to make a special outdoor artwork and would like you to come along and help them at Glover House,79 Balgownie Road, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB22 8JS from 2 to 4 pm.
Calligraphy
Bring your paper and pens along to Glover House and an expert will be available to help you develop your calligraphy skills on Saturday 14 July 2007 from 2 - 4 pm.
Woodblock Printing
Famous Japanese artists used woodblock printing and this easy process will be taught in a drop in session on Saturday 21 July from 2 to 4 pm at Glover House.
Daruma
On the 28 July you can learn how to make a Daruma which is an art from Japan. Daruma are simple brightly coloured charms and you are invited to come along and make your own for luck.
Origami
Origami, the ancient art of paper folding will be taught on 4 August 2007 at Glover House.
and free delivery is available. Alan Spence was Scottish writer of the year in 1995.
