番ばん頭とう

noun

head clerk; chief clerk

Refers to a senior clerk or manager in a traditional Japanese shop, inn, or merchant house. Often the person in charge of accounts and customer relations.

• 老舗旅館しにせりょかんの番ばん頭とうが丁てい寧ねいに客きゃくを迎むかえた。

  The head clerk of the long-established inn politely welcomed the guests.