noun
cherry blossom tellin; Nitidotellina nitidula
A small, pinkish bivalve shell commonly found on Japanese beaches; named for its cherry-blossom-like color.
海岸で小さな桜貝を拾った。
I picked up a small cherry blossom tellin on the beach.
桜貝は春の季語として俳句にも使われる。
Cherry blossom tellins are used as a spring season word in haiku.
From 桜 (sakura, 'cherry blossom') + 貝 (kai, 'shell'), referring to the shell's pink hue.