master of the rice field; chief farmer
Archaic term for the person in charge of a rice field, likely an abbreviation of a longer title. Historical use only.
The title '田長' is recorded in old documents.
Abbreviation of 田長鳥 (たおさどり), an old name for the lesser cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus). Rare and archaic.
See also: 田長鳥
'田長' is considered one of the old names for the lesser cuckoo.
lesser cuckoo
The historical derivation is uncertain. The kanji 田 (rice field) and 長 (chief) suggest a compound meaning 'field chief', but the exact origin and the link to the bird name are unclear.