There was a special exhibit at the ROM while I was there called The Forbidden City: Inside the Court of China’s Emperors.  It sounded interesting (especially the “forbidden” part), but then I looked at the price.  Regular admission: $16.  Regular admission + The Forbidden City: $27.  Considering that I’d never been to the ROM before, I decided to save the $11 and just get regular admission.  This turned out to be a smart move, because there is a lot to see in the ROM.

The first place I went (after walking under the Futalognkosaurus) was to the Japan, China & Korea wing.  More specifically, to the Japan area…

Like a moth to flames I am.

The artwork on the handles was really nice.

I especially like the one in the front that looks like it has a moustache and eyebrows.

What I like is that at the ROM I saw something that I’d never seen before, or even really knew existed – the Sword/Gun.

It’s a gun with the handle of a sword, and a sheath to disguise the barrel.  I’m not a big fan of guns, but this is pretty cool.

After Japan I wandered into China.

The crystal calligraphy pen holder is really cool.

In China (I believe during the Han Dynasty), prominent members of society were buried in Jade burial suits.  They consisted of squares of jade joined together by wire or silk, depending on your status.  The suit covered the person entirely (head and all) and was thought to preserve the body and soul.

From China it was on to Korea.  Where I didn’t take many pictures…  I think I was turning my camera off in between pictures, so that I didn’t take too many pictures and paid attention to the exhibits instead.

Along side these galleries is a gallery of Chinese Architecture.  There are a lot of burial stones (with translations).

There’s also a reconstruction of part of the Chinese Imperial Palace, and other very interesting large things to see.

Not a bad place to start…