once upon a time, antiquity, old times
昔 centers on the distant past: old times, antiquity, or the classic story-opening 'once upon a time.'
昔 is traditionally explained as combining 龷 (a variant of 共, suggesting 'together' or 'accumulated') with 日 (sun/day), giving the idea of many days past, hence 'old times.'
The top 龷 looks like piled-up layers, and the bottom 日 is the sun. Imagine many suns stacked up, representing days long past: 昔 is 'once upon a time.'
For セキ, picture an old, dusty antique sake (セキ sounds like 'seki' in 'sake'?) Actually, use 'secky' as a made-up name for an ancient relic: 'This secky old vase is from 昔.' The sound 'secky' cues セキ.
the old days; the past; former times; a long time ago
ancient times; prehistoric times; the distant past; a very long time ago
unchanged (from long ago); as it was in the past; same old; traditional
old tale; folk tale; legend
an age (ago); a long time (ago); a decade (ago)
past and present
old-fashioned way of thinking; old-fashioned spirit
old days
old friend; familiar face
a long time ago; in those days
a long time ago; long ago
a long time ago; long ago
a long, long time ago; very long ago
long ago; previous; of a former age
way in the past; two (or so) decades (ago)
once upon a time; a long time ago
Konjaku Monogatarishū (abbr) (31-volume collection of stories written during the late Heian period); The Tale of Konjaku
Konjaku Monogatarishū (31-volume collection of stories written during the late Heian period); Tales of Times Now Past
the pace of change makes ten years back seem like ancient history
ancient times