Victoria, BC – The Royal BC Museum is proud to announce the official opening of The Hayashi Photography Studio, a new display in Old Town, New Approach on the museum’s 3rd floor. The Hayashi Photography Studio highlights the deep heritage and cultural impact of the Japanese Canadian community in a recreation of an early 20th century photography studio in Cumberland, British Columbia and was inspired by a 1917 photograph of the studio.
“The Royal BC Museum is committed to enhancing its core galleries with fresh, engaging and inclusive content, such as the Hayashi Photography Studio,” says Tracey Drake, CEO of the Royal BC Museum. “This exciting permanent addition to Old Town, New Approach wouldn’t be possible without the invaluable support of our partners and local families, whose contributions have provided vital insights into the significant role the photo studio played in shaping Cumberland BC’s vibrant and diverse community.”
The display is the result of a collaboration with partners, including the Hayashi, Matsubuchi and other Japanese families of Cumberland, the Cumberland Museum and Archives, Landscapes of Injustice: Past Wrongs, Future Choices and the Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, and aims to showcase the studio’s significant role in documenting the diverse community of Cumberland from 1912 to 1942.
"It is encouraging to see this important and little-known slice of Japanese Canadian history brought to life for new audiences,” says Sherri Shinobu Kajiwara, Director/Curator of Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre. “I am only sorry that our inaugural Director and Curator, Grace Eiko Thomson, is no longer with us to see new inspiration from her work on Japanese Canadian photo studios from over two decades ago."
Established by Japanese Canadian photographer Senjiro Hayashi in 1912, the Hayashi Photography Studio captured the lives and stories of the region and its people in Cumberland, creating a photographic record of Cumberland for nearly 30 years. After Hayashi's tenure, the studio was run by other Japanese Canadian photographers, including Tokitaro Matsubuchi. Over the decades, the studio became an integral part of the community, preserving the region’s vibrant past and depicting the lives of its residents through photographs.
Rosslyn Shipp, former Executive Director of the Cumberland Museum and Archives, says the display is an opportunity to celebrate an artist and community member who played an important role in shaped Cumberland.
"The opening of the Hayashi Photography Studio display at the Royal BC Museum is an exciting occasion, celebrating the artistry and vision of Senjiro Hayashi, a true leader within the Cumberland community,” says Shipp. “At the turn of the century, Hayashi used photography as a powerful medium of creative expression, capturing the vibrant diversity of Cumberland's people. His work and those who took up the practice after him offer us a unique glimpse into a pivotal era in our shared history, preserving stories that continue to inspire and connect us across generations.”
The photography studio closed in 1942 amid growing discrimination and the internment of Japanese Canadians. The final photographs captured were commissioned by the Canadian government to create identification cards for the local Japanese Canadian community as part of their internment and forced relocation.
“The Hayashi family is deeply honoured that Senjiro Hayashi’s photography studio has been selected as the latest display in Old Town at the Royal BC Museum,” says the Hayashi family. “Senjiro’s photography, along with the invaluable contributions of Mr. Kitamura and Tokitaro Matsubuchi, who later took over the studio, offers a unique and intimate glimpse into the lives of the people of Cumberland and Royston at the turn of the 20th century. Through their lenses, we are privileged to witness the stories of early immigrant communities in the Comox Valley—a narrative that resonates with the broader contributions of minority communities to the growth and development of British Columbia as a whole.”
The Hayashi family continues, “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Cumberland Museum and Archives for their dedication to preserving the work of the Hayashi Studio, which has made this recognition possible, and to the Royal BC Museum for showcasing it as one of the many stories that have shaped our province.”
The Hayashi Photography Studio will continue to evolve over time, with new interactive elements being introduced to enhance visitors’ experiences. One of the key highlights in the first year of the display will be the documentary Hayashi Studio, directed by Hayley Gray and Elad Tzadok, which will be shown in the Majestic Theatre in Old Town. The documentary offers an in-depth exploration of the Hayashi Photography Studio and its significance in preserving the community's history.
This display is the latest addition to the reimagined Old Town, New Approach, and is located on the mezzanine level of the Grand Hotel. Over time, new stories and previously untold perspectives will be respectfully added to the human history galleries, engaging visitors with the rich history and lived experience of British Columbians.
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About the Royal BC Museum: The Royal BC Museum, which includes BC Archives, IMAX® Victoria and PARC Campus, is one of the oldest continually operating museums in Canada. A centre of learning and research, it strives to broaden our understanding of British Columbia through collections, exhibitions, outreach and community engagement. The museum celebrates the province’s diverse landscapes and the lives of the people who live here, enables research and knowledge sharing that advances our understanding of our world, and provides a dynamic place for discussion and reflection. IMAX® Victoria delivers educational and entertaining experiences that accompany the learning journey the museum offers.
The Royal BC Museum is located on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen peoples, known today as the Songhees and Xʷsepsəm (Esquimalt Nation). We acknowledge and respect the history of Indigenous peoples, who are our partners in museum matters and community alike.
