The Nightingale sings

I have noticed that a lot of fencers treat their opponent's sword as an obstacle or a barrier that they struggle to overcome. In this post I wish to discuss ways to do this and I am going to start by quoting an old Japanese saying;
If the nightingale won't sing, Nobunaga says "Kill it"
If the nightingale won't sing, Hideyoshi says "Make it want to sing"
If the nightingale won't sing, Ieyasu says "Wait"
This is a parable regarding three of the most influential figures in Japan's history and I'm not about to recount the details here. If you're interested enough you can google or wikipedia them! Suffice it to say that the three warlords had three different approaches to strategy*. So how does this relate to the problem of your opponent's sword?
If you take the example of Nobunaga you 'kill the obstacle' or 'leap the barricade'. Attack through the space between you and your opponent, neutralising their blade with yours by binds, beats or engagements. Pay no mind to the hindrance and strike at the real opponent.
If you take the example of Hideyoshi you make the obstacle go away by encouraging your opponent to attack you and score with parry ripostes. The barrier is no longer a barrier but a means to attain victory.
If you take the example of Ieyasu, you wait and see what your opponent is going to do, refraining from needlessly expending energy and inducing doubt into the mind of the opponent. Most people naturally feel uncomfortable with inaction and will have to do something. Once again the gap disappears, your rhythm changes and you take the initiative.
Your opponent's sword should never be considered an obstacle but should be treated as a means to an end.

* For the record Ieyasu was eventually the triumphal uniter of Japan and founded a long lasting dynasty by waiting until the conditions were exactly right to act.....