昔むかし人びと

noun

people of the past; ancients; previous generations

Refers to people who lived in earlier times, often with a sense of nostalgia or respect. The reading せきじん is rare and literary.

• 昔むかし人びとは自し然ぜんと共ともに生いきていた。

  People of the past lived in harmony with nature.

• この祭まつりは昔むかし人びとから伝つたわるものだ。

  This festival has been handed down from the ancients.