Ours. Notice how dirty the Americans are? And the quotes around "realistic"?Correct. It's ahistorically romanticized. Significantly.So who's history was portayed as grim and "realistic"? ;p
I've seen real ghost towns in better repair then that place, the ones that aren't set up for tourists :D. It was populated by carnies as a way of showing that the swordsman really fit in with the oucasts. I've seen that used many times in stories.
Sandy yes, but it was about as grim and gritty as the island of misfit toys.
Edit to remain on topic ;): Every one still agree that Samurai used banners?