also: たみぐさ
noun
the people; the populace
A somewhat literary or formal term for the common people, often used in historical or rhetorical contexts. Not an everyday word for 'people'.
民草の声を聞くことが政治の基本だ。
Listening to the voice of the people is the foundation of politics.
歴史書には、民草の暮らしが詳しく記されている。
The lives of the common people are described in detail in the history book.
Compound of 民 (tami, 'people') and 草 (kusa, 'grass'), metaphorically likening the common people to grass. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the image is of the populace as numerous and humble, like blades of grass.