今いまは昔むかし

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Meanings

1

A literary set phrase used to begin a story, similar to 'once upon a time'. Often found in classical tales and modern narrative openings.

けり

。

Once upon a time, there was an old bamboo cutter.

今いまは昔むかし、あるところにおじいさんとおばあさんが住すんでいました。

A long time ago, in a certain place, there lived an old man and an old woman.