So I only recently got into Pathfinder (first tabletop in general, actually) and I have been thoroughly sucked in. I've been having a lot of fun digging around and finding different setups and builds and trying to make things work, as I tend to do when I get into a game.
I wanted to try making an Oni-Spawn Tiefling Monk. Figured that with such a thoroughly Japanese concept I might as well dig around in the eastern weapons category. I found the Sensetsukon, a two-handed flurry-valid weapon that deals 1d10 with a 19-20 crit range. It even has a disarm bonus if you're into that sort of thing (I could potentially be into that sort of thing). It's pretty nice, but it's better when you're a Tiefling with Fiendish Heritage, because you can have oversize limbs and use the large version without penalty and start dealing a base of 2d8 at the beginning of the game.
The wrench in all of this is that the Monk isn't proficient with the Sensetsukon despite it being a Monk weapon. Why the Monk isn't proficient in all Monk weapons is beyond me but I'm sure that's been talked to death long before now. As far as I can tell, I've got three options: (1) take my first level in Fighter for proficiencies and the bonus feat, (2) fight with my fists until I can take Martial Weapon Proficiency at level 3, or (3) use the Heirloom Weapon trait to be proficient with my starting Sensetsukon and just pick up Martial Weapon Proficiency once I get to the point that I need an enchanted version. The first option is probably the most viable, but all of them seem very... inelegant to me. If there are other options I'd love to hear them, or just general advice regarding what I'd be doing with this. Other than the feat tax it seems to be a really great idea to me but I could be missing something important, still new and all.
I'd go with Heirloom Weapon. When you have enough money, find and pay a spellcaster to cast Masterwork Transformation on your heirloom (or buy a scroll for a caster in your party, or just ask/hope a party member takes the spell). Now you're free to have the thing enchanted - plus, it makes for pretty fun RP value.
As for my take on why monks aren't proficient with all monk weapons, it's essentially for the same reason that fighters aren't proficient with all weapons. And for the sake of balance.
Glad you're into the game! It's safe to say I'm hooked, too.
The DM actually decided that Heirloom Weapon not giving true proficiency was dumb and has house ruled it otherwise so its a moot point now. Masterwork Transformation is something worth keeping in mind though, thanks.
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Few things to note.
First, you can take the Martial Weapon Proficiency Feat at any level. It has no prerequisites IIRC.
Second, if you have a GM who will houserule nerf Heirloom Weapon, you might ask him if he could let you be proficient in all Monk Weapons.
Third, a level of Fighter is a good choice for a Monk, since it grants proficiencies, a +2 to Fort saves [which despite being a good save, is usually a monk's worst save], and a feat.
Fourth, the Sohei archetype of Monk makes you proficient with all martial weapons, allows you to use Flurry of Blows in Light Armour, is has a flavor that (IMO) is similar to Weapon Master, and eventually will let you flurry with better Weapons such as Nodachi or Lucerne Hammers.
Fifth, if you are wondering, I believe the reason Monks aren't proficient with all Monk Weapons is because the designers want to keep the Core Rulebook as close to being RAW as possible, to make things easier for new players who might have only the Core Rulebook to reference, and might not have the errata in which something was changed like proficiencies.
1. I'm aware of that, but I have to take Fiendish Heritage as my first level feat if I want to be an Oni so 3rd is the soonest I can get it.
2. I generally try to avoid begging for many rule changes if I can avoid it. Nobody else at the table does as much research as I do (it's kind of a habit of mine for games in general, I have as much fun learning about games as I do playing them) and I'm the closest to an optimizer (I'm not, but I do spend a lot more effort trying to make a character gameplay viable than anyone else) at the table so it's probably not a good idea to ask for tweaks that'll make my character stronger. I didn't ask for the Heirloom Weapon change either, she just decided on it when I told her why it wouldn't work.
3. I can definitely see that, but I'm fairly happy with my straight Monk build. It's something to consider, for sure.
4. I think I prefer the Weapon Adept's upfront benefits over the Sohei's. I'm also not happy with what its abilities replace; losing Fast Movement for a mount ability I'm not going to use hurts a lot, and I was intending to mix in Qinggong and the Sohei seems to get rid of almost everything that I would have been able to replace with ki skills.
5. That seems reasonable to me, I can respect that.