commander; military leader; strategist
Historical term for a military commander or strategist, especially during Japan's Sengoku period. Related to 軍配 (a war fan used to direct troops).
During the Sengoku period, the commander directed troops on the battlefield by waving a war fan.
Compound of 軍配 (war fan, from 軍 'army' + 配 'distribution/command') + 者 (person). The term likely arose during the Sengoku period to denote a commander who used a war fan to signal orders.