In feudal Japan, sugar was rare, so konpeito was enjoyed mainly by the wealthy. It became a symbol of luxury and was often presented as a gift at weddings or the birth of a child. Even the Imperial Family offered small tins of konpeito as official gifts. As Japan developed, sugar grew more affordable, and konpeito became available to the wider public. Artisan candy shops prospered in cities like Kyoto and Nagasaki. By the early 20th century, the colorful candies were sold across Japan in a variety of colors and flavors.
在日本封建時期，糖是稀有的，因此金平糖主要由富人享用。它成為奢華的象徵並且常在婚禮或嬰兒出生時作為禮物贈送。就連日本皇室也會將小罐的金平糖作為正式贈禮。隨著日本發展，糖變得更容易負擔，金平糖也變得普遍可及。匠人糖果店在京都與長崎等城市蓬勃發展。到了二十世紀初期，這些色彩繽紛的糖果已經在全日本以各式各樣的色彩與口味來販售。
生活必備字詞：
wealthy a. 富裕的，富有的
the wealthy 富人
= wealthy people
luxury n. 奢華（不可數）
affordable a. 負擔得起的
prosper vi. 興盛，繁榮
a variety of... 各式各樣的……
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本文節錄自《常春藤生活英語》雜誌，完整內容請見二月號。
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