Star Fragments

If the Star Fragments that show up on your beaches after a meteor shower look familiar, it’s because they’re cleverly designed to resemble konpeitō, a traditional Japanese sugar candy known for its small, colorful, star-like shape. Konpeitō was introduced to Japan in the 16th century by Portuguese traders and missionaries, and over time it became associated with celebration, gift-giving, and refinement. Because the candy is difficult to produce—each tiny “star” grows slowly as layers of sugar syrup crystallize over days or even weeks—konpeitō has historically been considered a special treat.

In Japanese popular culture, konpeitō often carries a sense of wonder, childhood innocence, and magic, which is why it appears in several animated films by Studio Ghibli. One of the most memorable examples is in Spirited Away, where the character Kamaji (the boiler operator in the bathhouse) offers konpeitō to the soot sprites, reinforcing the candy’s association with sweetness, curiosity, and small moments of joy.