Moon Over the Ruined Castle

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Taki, Moon Over the Ruined Castle

A photo really doesn’t do justice to certain things that we chance upon. The real moment came earlier when the sky was darker, the moon hanging that much higher and brighter over Toronto’s infamous Casa Loma. Far from ruined these days – indeed it is a veritable hub for tourism, weddings and receptions – it’s definitely a cool place, especially that darkened empty pool space in the basement, the steep staircase that takes you up inside the raw interior of main turret, whose small windows afford vertiginous views of the downtown city skyline…and of course the exquisite Horse Stables.

If you look carefully, you will note that the moon is in fact not over the castle, but rather over its neighbour to the east. Just hidden behind the treeline to the right of Casa Loma, is the lesser known Spadina House where this spontaneous recording was made. No less incredible than than Toronto’s castle, this is the real gem on the hill – if you have never been, you owe it to yourself to step back in time, as it affords visitors an extraordinary glimpse into Toronto’s rich past.

The event at Spadina House was a Winter Solstice concert with a Japanese theme nearly a year ago. Picture me in the darkened sitting room, casually running through a couple of traditional folk songs with one of the other performers, the storyteller who would later compliment my solo shakuhachi performance to an attentive, hushed audience. It was a magical evening in magical surroundings - made complete by my handsome, vintage kimono purchased earlier in the day at Courage My Love down in Kensington Market!

Read more about Sir Henry Pellatt did indeed face financial challenges after having completed his dream home. In fact it was at one point reduced to ruins – financial ruins – and perhaps serves as somewhat of a cautionary tale in this day and age of monster homes and credit financing.