The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Cherry blossoms a friendship symbol
Courier Country parks will be part of a tree project to mark 150 years of Japan-UK friendship, set to come to fruition in the spring.
Cherry blossoms will be planted in D u n d e e ’s Dawson Pa r k and in Stonehaven as a “living testament ” to T homas Blake Glover.
North-east-born Glover was a key figure in the industrialisation of Japan after arriving in Nagasaki in 1859. His achievements saw him earn the nickname “the Scottish Samurai”.
The Sakura Cherry Tree Project, which will include the Ta y s i d e and Aberdeenshire sites, was launched when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and former UK premier Theresa May met in 2017.
There will be 100 trees planted at Mineralwell, with a smaller number at Dawson Park.
Stonehaven’s selection follows an approach by local MP Andrew Bowie and a “p i t c h” at the Japanese embassy in 2018.
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine Conservative Mr Bowie said the news coincides with the first U K - Ja p a n trade deal, signed in October.
“Thomas Gl o v e r did more for British- Japan relations than nearly any other person to this day,” said Mr Bowie.
“He was so popular, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by Emperor Meiji.
“It is with great pride we will mark this and 150 years of friendship, thanks to our friends in Japan.
“T he park will be a spectacular sight and a living testament to Glover and international co-operation.”
The trees are to include the taihaku or “great w h i t e ”, wh i c h became extinct in Japan and were reintroduced from the UK.
Former Japanese Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Koji Tsuruoka, said: “Thousands of cherry trees planted in parks, schools and public spaces will grow as a symbol of the long-standing friendship that has evolved between our two countries and will continue to do so.”
The project is a part of the Japan-UK Seasons of Culture project.
It is represented in Japan by the Japan-British Society and in the UK by a special committee convened by the Japan Matsuri Company.
Glover died at his Tokyo home in December 1911 and was buried in N a g a s a k i ’s Sakamoto International Cemetery.
He helped found what would become the Mitsubishi Corporation and the Japan Brewery Company, later the major Kirin Brewery Company.