Nanban trade
The heart symbol reached Japan with the Muromachi period Nanban trade of 1543 to 1614, as evidenced by a 14th century Muromachi-period ritual axe for Yamabushi monks from the Shinshō-ji temple, donated to the Nara National Museum Collection, and a later Edo period samurai helmet (dated ), which includes both the rounded and indented forms of the heart symbol, representing the heart of Marishiten, goddess of archers.