Peculiar fellow...
Douglas,
Back to your question..
I train with swords to try to achieve 'mushin' or no mind. 'Mushin' helps me in Karate too when i fight since i enter very focused and without thought about the oponents size or skill.
Others might say that mushin can be trained in karate anyway but i find that using a katana has a different feeling to using my feet and fists, if you know what i mean.
All the best in being the 'E-Budo Usurper'
Marko Miletic
Katsu!
The moon has no intent to cast
Its shadow anywhere, nor does
The pond design to lodge the moon.
Ito Ittosai