Royal Ontario Museum Blog
Monthly Archive: December
ROM Alfred Wirth Gallery of the Middle East: Stronghold of an Iranian Warlord on the Silk Road
![Alfred Wirth and Edward Keall reviewing the exhibit](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/wirth001_resized.jpg?itok=Z8XwmnDq)
By Ed Keall
The temporary exhibit space in the Wirth galleries of the Middle East and the Ondaatje gallery of Asia is designed to keep the galleries alive by encouraging visitors to repeat their visits because there is something new to see.
Antonia and Deb’s top ten favourite things about Bioblitzes
![Don Bioblitz 2015. Ontario Science Centre Species Depot. Photo by Krystal Seedia. Bioblitz 2015. Ontario Science Centre Species Depot. Photo by Krystal Seedia](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/2015-06-13-bioblitz_krystal_seedial-17_.ed_.jpg?itok=zVqWD1dH)
Top ten favourite things about Bioblitzes from Antonia and Deb
Join our first #EmptyROM tour!
![Photo by @priscilla_mendes Picture of the ROM looking southwest. Photo by @priscilla_mendes](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/rom-instagram.jpg?itok=uS1UfPga)
Tour the museum BEFORE we open!
Japanese Art Collection at the ROM
![Hawking Party in Front of Mount Fuji; Kitagawa Utamaro (1754-1806); Paper, Oban triptych format, woodblock-printed with seven colours; Japan; Edo period; circa 1790 AD, ca 1800; 926.18.424; Length 58cm; Width 95cm Hawking Party in Front of Mount Fuji; Kitagawa Utamaro (1754-1806); Paper, Oban triptych format, woodblock-printed with seven colours; Japan; Edo period; circa 1790 AD, ca 1800; 926.18.424; Length 58cm; Width 95cm](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/rom2005_1588_10.jpg?itok=8WR5Vnde)
The Japanese art collection at the ROM includes approximately 10,000 objects: it is the largest collection of the kind in Canada. The largest number of Japanese items is from the Edo period (1601-1868). Among them are lacquer works, such as incense containers and writing boxes beautifully decorated with gold leaf, which would have embellished people’s everyday lives. “Samurai art,” such as armour, helmets, saddles, spears, and tsuba (sword guards), some of which date from before the Edo period, is also represented.
Museum Monday with Melissa - July 20, 2015
![](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/museum-monday.png?itok=Lt6MfTcf)
What an exciting time for the ROM. This week there is so much to see and do. With the beautiful weather we are able to enjoy it is a great time to get out and visit the Royal Ontario Museum.
T. rex vs. Pan Am Athletes: Who Would Win a Race?
![The opening ceremonies of the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto. Photo courtesy of the Pan Am Games A stage performance with images of Toronto in the background for the opening ceremonies of the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/2015_pan_am_games_opening-ceremony-06-3.jpg?itok=j9fRwSk5)
Guest blog post by Environmental Visual Communication Student Lisa Milavic
Do you think you could out-run a Tyrannosaurus rex? What about the athletes in the 2015 Pan Am Games?
Weapon Wednesday: Pesh Kabz
Pesh Kabz, means ‘fore grip’ in Persian, a language from Iran where this style of dagger finds its origins. Written by Aruna Panday
ROM Selfie Guide
![](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/selfie_0.png?itok=fk7gDPXc)
1. Mimicking a statue can be fun. Look closely at the statue to make sure you get it right.
2. When attempting to take a selfie with a dinosaur, please ensure the dinosaur is actually in the shot.
Bug Hunting with Bed Sheets
![Searching for insects at night. Image: Fatima Ali 3 people in silhouette look for insects attracted to a light](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/fatima_ali_silhouette.jpg?itok=kF2mp4KQ)
The restudy of the iconic Hallucigenia animal from Burgess Shale
New research published today in the journal Nature describes a newly-discovered 'ring of teeth' in an otherworldly creature from half a billion years ago.