noun
village headman (Kanto region)
Historical term for a village headman, especially in the Kanto region during the Edo period. Often contrasted with 庄屋 (しょうや), which was used in the Kansai region for a similar role.
See also: 庄屋
江戸時代、名主は村の代表として年貢の取りまとめを行った。
In the Edo period, the village headman (nanushi) coordinated the payment of land taxes as the village representative.