Address - 2FL Ogiue Bldg 1-16-11, Kichi Joji Minami-cho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo and (Royal) Mumtaj at 4-1-4 Kiji Joji Kitamachi, Musashino-Shi, Tokyo Opening hours - Every day 11 am to 11pm and (Royal Mumtaj) from 11:00 am to 3:00 am Map - Yes Telephone - 0422-49-8754 and (Royal Mumtaj) 0422-37-9775 Menu - In Japanese and English CC - No

I like going to Kichi Joji's Inokashira Park on weekends because I enjoy seeing families with their kids watching carps and ducks swim and feed, and it's a much quieter park than any other I know: the loudest sounds you are likely to hear are just good quality music. I already know most of those who play there regularly: there's this sad-looking Japanese woman playing very well sad songs on the accordion with a cigarette at the corner of her mouth, an American guy with a long blond braid playing hammered dulcimer, a Japanese man playing a steel saw (yes, a steel saw) with a violin bow, and recently a really funky Dixieland jazz band. Last Sunday the band played for at least three hours while I was listening from a boat on the lake with my old lady. It was great fun and very relaxing, so that in a second evening came, time to eat, and we decided to go to Mumtaj because the menu looked very promising. Not only does it offer Puri and Chapati, breads you don't find so often, it also prepares three different types of Biryani and unusual meat dishes like Masala Fried Chicken and Mumtaj Tikka (spicy chicken wings).
The place is very small, just few tables, but tidy and welcoming. The whole thing is just a two-man operation, so that the Indian cook also serves at the tables.

We ordered Masala Fried Chicken, two puris, one naan, Bhaigan Bhaita (eggplant curry), a vegetable Jalfiger (vegetable Curry), and a Kheema Biryani. Everything cost between 1300 and 1500 yen, and was good enough. What Mumtaj offers is, more than the usual Indian restaurant fare, home-style food the way I imagine mothers in India prepare it. A little too simple, as a matter of fact. WIthout going as far as giving it a rejection slip, I must say I found Mumtaj a little bit too unexciting. Not bad, you see, just unexciting, and a bit expensive for what it offers. But on the other hand it does have an unusual menu, and you might find it interesting.

Benjamin Chee Chee - Sun Bird

Benjamin Chee Chee is an Ojibway artist from Canada I almost worship. Have you ever seen anything like "Sun Bird"? I sure haven't. There isn't much on the Net about him, but you can see some of his works and, if you like them, buy the prints. I own several. I also found a short biography of the man, but it's definitely not enough.