今いまは昔むかし

expression

once upon a time; a long time ago

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

• 今いまは昔むかし、竹たけ取とりの翁おきなといふ者ものありけり。

  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.