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Meiji 14 in the Western calendar
明治十四年
=
1881
Year 14 of the Meiji era is 1881 in the Western calendar.
Western year
1881
Kanji form
明治十四年
as stamped on coins
Abbreviation
M14
on licenses & forms
Zodiac
辛巳 Metal Snake
Era position
Year 14 of 45
Meiji era (Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912)
Age today
How to read it
On coins and formal documents the year is written 明治十四年 — 十四 is ten-four, so it reads 14.
Quick conversion rule: Meiji year + 1867 = Western year (Meiji 14 + 1867 = 1881).
Convert another year
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Nearby years
Common questions about Meiji 14
What year is Meiji 14 in the Western calendar?
Meiji 14 (明治14年) is 1881. On Japanese forms it is often shortened to M14, and in kanji it is written 明治十四年.
How do I convert a Meiji year to a Western year?
Add 1867. Meiji 14 + 1867 = 1881, and the same rule works for every year in the Meiji era (Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912).
How is Meiji 14 written on documents and coins?
It appears as 明治十四年 — the number is written with the kanji numeral 十四. A full date follows the same order, with the month and day after the year: 明治十四年◯月◯日.
What is the zodiac sign for Meiji 14?
1881 is the year of the Metal Snake (辛巳) in the Japanese sexagenary cycle.
Is the Meiji era still used today?
No — the Meiji era covers Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912, so Meiji 14 is a past year. Japanese documents issued at the time still carry it.