10–15 November: Acoya — Pearl Pop-up
Gentle Life with a Touch of Sorrow
Acoya Pop-up at MONO JAPAN STORE
10–15 November 2026
We are delighted to welcome Acoya back to MONO JAPAN STORE for a special six-day pop-up featuring jewellery made with Japanese Akoya pearls.
Founded by designer and artist Chitose Ohchi, Acoya explores the beauty and individuality of pearls cultivated in the waters of Japan, bringing together the sea, nature, craftsmanship, memory and everyday life.
Each Akoya pearl is shaped by a living oyster and nurtured by the sea. No two pearls are exactly alike — each carries its own colour, shape, texture and character.
Through her jewellery, Chitose embraces these differences rather than seeking perfection. Her work invites us to look more closely at the pearl itself, and at the natural and cultural stories held within it.
During the six-day pop-up, you can discover and purchase a selection of Acoya's jewellery at MONO JAPAN STORE and experience the different stories and inspirations behind the collections.
Acoya Jewellery
Acoya’s jewellery celebrates the individuality of each Akoya pearl, combining pearls with Japanese craftsmanship, gemstones and stories drawn from nature and culture.
C Collection
An understated, easy-to-wear collection for everyday life. Each pearl is carefully selected for its colour, shape and character, allowing its natural individuality to shine.
Anima Collection
A collection inspired by living things, the universe and the idea of the pearl as a soul.
The collection includes pieces such as A Piece of Ripple, inspired by Seigaiha, the traditional Japanese wave motif symbolising an enduring wish for peaceful and happy days; The Leonids, where tiny keshi pearls appear like stardust in the night sky; and Psychē, inspired by the butterfly and its symbolism of the soul, transformation and fleeting beauty.
Also within the collection is the Pearl Fan, a contemporary interpretation of the traditional Japanese folding fan. Created together with Edo-style fan craftsman Hiroshi Matsui and washi maker Rogier, the fan incorporates Akoya mother-of-pearl into delicate Japanese paper.
Water / Magic Hour Collection
Inspired by the emerald waters where Akoya pearl oysters live.
The collection combines Akoya pearls with gemstones to express the changing colours and beauty of the sea. Its deeper philosophy is rooted in the connection between forest and ocean: to protect the forest is to protect the sea, and to protect the sea is to protect our home.
Midir nu Hi Collection
Inspired by Yonaguni Island, a remote Japanese island where untouched nature still remains.
The collection brings together Akoya pearls and the spirit of the island, celebrating its blue sea, wild landscape and native horses while expressing a desire to preserve this precious natural environment.
From Omura Bay to the Netherlands
Acoya also carries a fascinating historical connection with the Netherlands.
During Japan’s period of national isolation, Akoya pearls from Omura Bay were exported to the Netherlands through the Dutch trading post in Hirado. They were among the first pearls from Japan to reach Europe.
This raises an intriguing question: could some of the pearls depicted in Johannes Vermeer’s paintings have come from Omura Bay?
Of the paintings attributed to Vermeer, many feature pearls, including the famous Girl with a Pearl Earring. We may never know the answer, but the possibility creates a beautiful thread between the Japanese sea, Dutch history and one of the most celebrated images of a pearl in Western art.
From the waters of Nagasaki to the Netherlands, the journey of the Akoya pearl continues.
An Evening with Acoya — The Story of Akoya Pearls
Friday, 13 November · 18:15–18:45
As part of the pop-up, we are pleased to welcome Chitose Ohchi for a special 30-minute talk about the world of Akoya pearls.
What is a real pearl?
Akoya pearls are deeply connected to Japanese history and culture, yet there is much about them that remains unknown — even in Japan.
Chitose will share the history and cultural significance of pearls in Japan and around the world, the development of modern Akoya pearl cultivation, and the fascinating process through which a pearl is nurtured in the sea.
She will also talk about the story behind Acoya and the pearls she works with — pearls cultivated in the waters of Japan.
For Chitose, a pearl is more than a beautiful material. It is the result of a relationship between a living oyster, the sea, nature and the people who care for it.
This intimate talk offers an opportunity to discover pearls from a different perspective and to gain a deeper understanding of the material at the heart of Acoya's jewellery.
Practical information
Date: Friday, 13 November 2026
Doors open: 18:00
Talk: 18:15–18:45
Location: MONO JAPAN STORE, Rotterdam
Admission: €5 per person, including one drink
Reservation required. Places are limited.
From Omura Bay to the Netherlands
Acoya also carries a fascinating historical connection with the Netherlands.
During Japan’s period of national isolation, Akoya pearls from Omura Bay were exported to the Netherlands through the Dutch trading post in Hirado. They were among the first pearls from Japan to reach Europe.
This raises an intriguing question: could some of the pearls depicted in Johannes Vermeer’s paintings have come from Omura Bay?
Of the paintings attributed to Vermeer, many feature pearls, including the famous Girl with a Pearl Earring. We may never know the answer, but the possibility creates a beautiful thread between the Japanese sea, Dutch history and one of the most celebrated images of a pearl in Western art.
From the waters of Nagasaki to the Netherlands, the journey of the Akoya pearl continues.
Acoya & MONO JAPAN
Designer Chitose Ohchi has been connected with MONO JAPAN since the very first MONO JAPAN Fair in 2016. Over the years, we have had the pleasure of introducing her work through exhibitions and collaborations in the Netherlands.
We are very happy to welcome Acoya back to MONO JAPAN STORE.
This pop-up is an opportunity not only to discover and wear Acoya's jewellery, but also to learn more about the remarkable world of Japanese Akoya pearls — their history, their relationship with the sea, and the craftsmanship and stories behind them.
10–15 November 2026
MONO JAPAN STORE, Rotterdam