One note of historical consideration is that swords (yes even the famed katana) have been side-arms. Swordmanship of then would be akin to pistol markmanship of today. The reason for Tokugawa Bakufu's ban on all weapons and restricting use of swords (side-arms) to bureaucrats was to prevent revolts.

A military veteran of the Warring period, versed in weapons of war would have had massive advantage over civilian "martial" artists and younger generation who never experienced war.