A monk that belongs to the Way of the Rising Sun has trained in that art of swordsmanship and has begun their journey of wielding their blade for a greater purpose.

Swordplay Initiate

Starting at 3rd level, a monk of this tradition can not only count their sword as a monk weapon, adding their Dexterity modifier to attacks rather than Strength, they also have begun training in the art of ki-empowered swordplay, known as kenjutsu abilities.

Kenjutsu - Flurry of Steel: Immediately after you take the Attack action on your turn, you can spend 1 ki point to make an extra strike with your weapon as a bonus action. When making this bonus attack, you can add bonus damage of your weapon’s type equal to your Martial Arts Die.

Sharpened Weapons

Starting at 6th level, not only do the unarmed attacks of a monk ignore nonmagical immunities and resistances, the strikes of a monk's chosen blade also count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage. Because of the blade's new strength, it can now handle direct attacks much better, allowing the monk to incorporate this new strength into their fighting style with a new kenjutsu ability.

Kenjutsu - Deflecting Blade: You can spend one ki point as a reaction to use your blade as a means of deflecting and/or locking an opponents weapon into place. When an opponent attacks you with a weapon strike and you use this ability, you and your opponent make contested Strength checks. If your Strength check is higher than your opponent’s, you can either completely deflect the attack and sustain no damage, or you can lock your weapon with your opponent’s, restraining both of you until either you voluntarily end the status or the opponent succeeds a Strength check to end the effect.

Lethal Strikes

At 11th level, a monk of this tradition has become so comfortable with their blade that it has practically become an extension of their arm. 

Preemptive Strike: Within your first round of combat, you can add your Wisdom modifier to the attack roll of the first weapon attack you make. If you successfully hit your target, add damage equal to your martial arts die.

Kenjutsu: Sen no Sen Strike: When you move into and out of the melee range of a creature within the same movement on your turn, you can spend 1 ki point to use your reaction to make an opportunity attack with your blade.

Swordplay Adept

At level 17, the monk of the Rising Sun has completely adapted the mastery of their sword into their daily life, especially combat. Not only has this ability allowed the monk to become incredibly lethal with a sword, the constant reflex training has given them a proficiency in initiative.

Iaijutsu: Your knowledge of how to precisely attack your enemies has risen to new heights. Through giving up your action, you can guarantee the first attack with your chosen weapon on your next turn is a critical hit, negating even the need to roll for your attack.