No wind today, so time to look up some ancient mythology....
A Ronin was a samurai with no lord or master during the feudal period (1185–1868) of Japan. A samurai became masterless from the ruin or fall of his master (as in the case of death in a war), or after the loss of his master's favor or privilege.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=blMUgeZ-iGIUsagi Yojimbo "rabbit bodyguard" is a comic book series created by Stan Sakai in 1984. Set primarily at the beginning of Edo period Japan (early 17th century), with anthropomorphic animals replacing humans, it features a rabbit ronin, Miyamoto Usagi. Usagi wanders the land on a musha shugyo (warrior's pilgrimage) occasionally selling his services as a bodyguard.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=38sveM8OibM&feature=relatedSo Usagi Yojimbo is a type of Ronin. The Rabbit is known to live on the edge, not least with classics like "I like that women. Her ears were too small and she lacked fur, but she was nice."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdNtSgPweuEWhat sort of people write this stuff?!
But design wise there is no link; Usagi Yojimbo is the 2nd E5 and Ronin is the only Bieker.
They do both have very similar rigs; SuperSpars and Hydes.
Whilst Ronin is similar in looks to the Bieker5 I14 (and what a great pedigree) the phrase 'scaled down' can only by used loosely.
Ronin/GT60/B1C, like the rogue Samurai, has always been a little confused with his identity & name. I thought it was just Kiwi boats that are given male names? Do you think he is about ready for a sex change Princey?
Pic from Feb07 TDS article.