group leader; head of a union; guild master
Refers to the leader or chief of a cooperative association, labor union, or traditional guild. Often used in historical or organizational contexts.
He was elected head of the labor union.
In Edo-period craft guilds, the guild master held considerable authority.
Compound of 組合 (くみあい, 'association, union') and 頭 (かしら, 'head, chief'). The reading かしら is a native Japanese word for 'head' or 'leader'.