Bullseye Bicycle Playing Cards

The "target" crest (mato; also pronounced "mato-ni atari-ya"). The word "target" (mato) means "aim" or "goal." It is associated with archery and firearms targets. The "arrow hits mark" crest was used as a shop name or trademark to bring good luck. It became a formalized crest in the modern era (compiled by Ito Kosaku in "Japanese Crests"). The target pattern used in designs is thought to have originated from the square shape with corner stands, possibly related to the targets used in yabusame (Japanese horseback archery). The target crest is believed to have become a family crest due to its martial significance and auspicious meaning of "hitting the mark" for merchants (written by Takazawa Hitoshi in "The Encyclopedia of Family Crests").