As a former samurai myself, even I know better than to just forsake the katana. I do not use it now, but it always a part of me. There are times my skills have come in handy to find spies and traitors in our midst. And still, there is the rare occasion where the katana is exactly the right tool. I have called upon it on rare occasion, but only when absolutely necessary.

Clearly, there is a reason he is rōnin now. Some are because they can, or need to. Then there are some who are not by choice, but that they cannot honor the will of their Liege-Lord.