Background
This newsletter was started to connect ninpo taijutsu practitioners from all backgrounds together. While cruising the Internet and hanging out in the Martial Arts Forum on America Online, I discovered that there was a huge ninpo community trying to connect with each other. There were posts from people worldwide who were seeking information and wanted to have access to more knowledge. There were also many willing people who wanted to share their knowledge and experience. Ura & Omote's goal is to provide a forum where we can easily gather and disseminate information (both "obvious" and "hidden"), ask questions and, more importantly, get answers, and share experiences while living the art. In this way, a student in Sweden will be able to ask a Yondan in Illinois how he runs his training group, articles from Hatsumi Soke will get wider circulation, and seminar information will be more easily available.

Articles Still Needed
In order to produce this newsletter every month, articles will be needed. Articles can be written on a variety of topics:

• Your favorite technique
  
• A movie or video review
  
• Training tips
  
• Personal experiences (i.e. training in Japan, using the art in real life, etc.)
  
• Interviews/Discussions with Shihan/Your teachers
  
• Pretty much anything you want as long as its related to ninjutsu!
  

Take special note of the Feedback section towards the end of this newsletter. In this section, readers will get a chance to ask questions or request articles. Interested authors may want to answer a question or give some input. If you have a question, feel free to send it in.

Please submit your articles, comments, questions, suggestions, etc. to the editor -- Ashidome@aol.com. Also, please let us know of any future events occuring in your area. This information will be included in our Training Opportunities section so that others can know and increase attendance at your functions.

Keep in mind that all articles herein are of their author's opinion/research and the publisher of this newsletter will not be held liable for any errors or misleading information. If you need further information on any articles, or if you have questions for the authors, please contact them directly. If there is no E-mail address listed, please E-mail the the editor and your request will be forwarded.

Next Month's Issue
In next month's issue we'll have a translation of Hiden No Togakure Ninjutsu by Hatsumi Soke (submitted by Ken Harding), an interview with Stephen Hayes, an article about producing dynamic power and an article on how to start a training group.

Here's the Standard Disclaimer
We (the publisher and authors) are not responsible in any manner whatsoever for any injury which may occur through reading or following any instructions in this newsletter. Please consult a physician before engaging in the exercises described herein.

Finally, thank you all for your support and interest in this venture. Kudos and my first, second, third, etc.- born children to the authors for getting me articles on such short notice. Enjoy and see you next month!

Liz maryland is a graphic designer by trade and part-time information gatherer. She trains under Shidoshi Jean-Pierre Seibel at New York Budo, likes jellybeans, has a wicked sense of humor and may be contacted via E-mail: Ashidome@aol.com.