akoya
/əˈkɔɪə/(also akoja, akoia)
noun
Any of several small marine oysters of the genus Pinctada, especially P. fucata, cultivated in Japan, China, and elsewhere for the production of cultured pearl. Also: a pearl so produced, typically round, white, and lustrous. Usually attributive as Akoya oyster, pearl, etc.
- Until the second half of the 20th cent. apparently only in translations of, after, or with allusion to E. Kämpfer Hist. Japan..
Origin
Early 18th century; earliest use found in John Scheuchzer (1702–1729), physician and naturalist. From German Akoja and (in later use) its etymon Japanese akoya, short for akoya-dama akoya pearl from Akoya, the former name of Honda, a coastal town in the Aichi prefecture, Japan (known for the abundance in pearl oysters in its bay) + -dama, combining form of tama ball, gem, bead.