also: まちだい
noun
assisting town official (Edo period)
Historical term for a subordinate town official in the Edo period, assisting higher-ranking officials like 町名主 or 町年寄.
江戸時代、町代は町名主の補佐役として町政に関わった。
In the Edo period, the 町代 was involved in town administration as an assistant to the 町名主.
Compound of 町 (town) and 代 (substitute, assistant), referring to a deputy town official in the Edo period.