nice review and very similar to what I think about it. Minor correction, though, since Sohei cannot include sword4hire (strictly to the book, maybe there is an errata somewhere), therefore not "each buntai can add extra figures ... "
However, what I like to add is, that another distinction makes Ronin stands out: fights do not tend to freeze the game-play. Usually - though not always - they are done pretty quick. Like two strikes with a sword and some game-char is spilling some guts real fast.
best wishes
DK