| For a generic western fantasy setting the monk class most certainly doesn't fit, but the monk as a "cloistered cleric" does - of course so would an order of 'cloistered religious wizards' or any other class. Monk is a motiff, a style, a collection of fluff. It is not an iconic class outside of "shaolin monk" which is very specifically asian.
So what is the classic "shaolin monk"? Not much more than a striker specializing in unarmed attacks and culturally distinct weapons and a penchant for meditating when not punching things. Honestly, I can represent that with the rogue and a selection of alternative talents and class abilities: a lightly (or non-) armored, high-damage, highly-mobile martial striker.
What's a ninja but a thiefy/assassiny rogue with really good PR? A samurai, minus the visual fluff, cultural references, and ultra-strict code of honor is basically either a fighter or a paladin. A shogun is a warlord perhaps. A wu-jen is a wizard. I don't see a need for new classes for these cultural-specific types, just careful RP and at worst some new talents and alternative class abilities to mimic some specific functions (like being amazing at punching and kicking for instance).
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Katahn | 
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