Musashi has been in Santa Rosa, in 7th Street Downtown, for more years than I have been coming here, so more than 5 years. It has lost, I think, the upside-down coloured-perspex bubble and water ornament that fascinated me at first, but it remains otherwise the same. The chefs are your authentic Japanese, with the assembly skills of a true Japanese craftsman, while the waiting staff were excellent, courteous, but quite domestic! The decor is elaborate Japanese.
I was anxious to try the "Clam Miso" on the Mae West Theory and because it sounded imaginative, but also there were no clams that night. Instead I settled for sashimi, Kay had sushi, and Cath had a "combo" dish of tempura and grilled meat. The sashimi was fine, but not spectacular. There was no shortage of wasabi on any of our plates, great pyramids 3cm high. The sushi was similarly without flaw but without brilliance. The tempura and grill was beautifully presented (all the dishes were) and perfectly prepared.
The crockery was of perfect Japanese style, but sized Californian. I was filled with lust until I noted that it was not, as it looked, Japanese earthenware, but plastic! It would be hard not to notice that, just as it is hard not to notice that buildings are not brick. The extent of the effect of this detail is greater than it should be.
I would give this restaurant 7 out of 10. I may be forced to revise this after trying other Japanese restaurants, but I am left with the impression that it had Californian cracks in the Japanese atmosphere but without the compensating touch of imagination.