The literal translation of Ronin means "wave man/men" as it pertains to samurai who were not regularly employed under a daimyo (feudal lord). Thus such samurai move around "as being cast about the waves," hence the name Ronin. They are essentially samurai without a Master.
The theory behind hanging a bird to dry is to make the meat more tender and add depth of flavor. This was a common practice in England at that time (In Japan however, due to the hot and humid climate, the game will rot very quickly). Pheasants are completely intact (not plucked or gutted) and hung by the neck to keep the blood in the carcass. This helps prevent the meat from drying out or freezing if temperatures drop dramatically. Birds are left to hang for a maximum of 3 days. On the other hand, usually when a quarry is dispatched, it is field-dressed, that is, it is cut open, with the liver and stomach removed, and bled out, so the meat does not rot.
In Japanese mythology, Tatarigami are evil spirits that are said to cause destruction, death, and other havoc on those who have wronged them. They are also known as curse spirits or curse gods. Tatarigami are said to be immortal, invulnerable to mortal attacks, and are born from fallen gods or the spirits of vengeful individuals. They are said to cause natural disasters, curses, and other supernatural means of destruction. Tatarigami are said to bring calamity upon their victims, such as: death and destruction, fire and famine, and plague and war. Shrines dedicated to Tatarigami have been built across Japan in the hopes that their curses can be lifted. For example, a festival was held in their honor at the Yasaka Shrine in Gion to keep the city free from disease.