acoya
ーAkoya Pearl Jewellery
Ground Floor
/ Room No. 2
About the Exhibitor
Founded in 2019 by C& Chitose Ohchi, Acoya is based in Omura Bay, Nagasaki—also known as the “Koto no Umi” (The Koto Sea)—home to a 1,300-year history of Akoya pearl cultivation. The brand shines a light not only on pearls themselves but on the beauty of the entire Akoya pearl oyster.
Acoya's creations range from jewelry to washi paper, fans, and confectionery, all designed to showcase the oyster's natural elegance. Through its work, Acoya also seeks to protect the marine and forest environments, exploring the symbolic and historical context of pearls as metaphors for life and the sea. Each unique pearl is celebrated for its individuality, and the brand shares the stories of the pearl cultivators who help sustain this centuries-old tradition, bringing the beauty and value of Akoya pearls to the world.
About the Products
Acoya’s Akoya Pearl oysters come from Omura Bay, Nagasaki. The history of Akoya pearls in Japan dates back to the Jomon period (c. 14,000-300 BCE). There are traces of using Akoya Mother of Pearl to construct ancient sanctuaries, indicating its sacred significance.
Throughout Japanese history, pearls have been seen as sacred, often symbolising purity and beauty, appearing as shiratama in the Kojiki and Man’yoshu (ancient Japanese texts). The term tama historically represented the soul or a vessel of the soul.
The beauty created by the power of the ocean is fleeting, a life destined to fade. Since ancient times, people have seen their own souls reflected in the shimmer of pearls. The Akoya oyster transforms pain into a luminous jewel, giving life to beauty even as it perishes.
Each pearl, with its unique colour, shape, and sevenfold iridescence, is singular—a living story of beauty. Acoya celebrates this ancient context, presenting each pearl as a shining testament to individuality and life, sharing its story with the world.
