Fire Pearls touched me in a way that few books do. M. Kei's own love poems are courageous and filled with passion--he lets it all hang. There wasn't one poem in this collection that wasn't excellent. Buy it now and give several as gifts--I'm mad about M.Kei's work and the anthologies he edits. He has the heart of a true poet. Alexis Rotella, author LIP PRINTS (Tanka Collection 1979-2007, scheduled for 2007)

Anybody who loves love, loves poetry, or loves plain good writing should get this book. It's the perfect thing to give to a romantic partner, but there's plenty about other aspects of relationships too.

This is a wonderful collection of 5-line poems, including many tanka. Fire Pearls is a very enjoyable read and a source of inspiration for tanka writing. Highly recommended.

We need poetry. We need poetry which goes straight to our heart and explores the depths of the soul. Since its early times in mediaeval Japan, tanka has a tradition of doing just that.
M.Kei's anthology was very much needed for the readership in English speaking countries and beyond. Compiling this antology must also have involved much sensitivity and...yes, love! It also has the merit of bringing tanka back into the spotlight of English-language publishing.
I look forward to a 2nd edition which would focus more on translated moderrn tanka from all cultures!

This is an outstanding anthology, full of fine tanka, painting a broad spectrum of human emotion. Fire Pearls is proof of the vitality of modern tanka in English, the power and beauty of this most ancient form. The seasonal arrangement is ingenious and adds to the enjoyment of the poetry, over and over.

This was my first introduction to tanka, and I loved every one of them. Reading these emotional poems made me feel sad, happy and excited. I told a friend that reading them made me want to be someone's lover, and have them read these poems to me, or write them about me. Fire Pearls is a wonderful introduction to tanka for the newcomer, and a beautiful addition to anyone's bedside table.