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Meiji 2 in the Western calendar
明治二年
=
1869
Year 2 of the Meiji era is 1869 in the Western calendar.
Western year
1869
Kanji form
明治二年
as stamped on coins
Abbreviation
M2
on licenses & forms
Zodiac
己巳 Earth Snake
Era position
Year 2 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 明治二年 — 二 is two, so it reads 2.
Quick conversion rule: Meiji year + 1867 = Western year (Meiji 2 + 1867 = 1869).
Convert another year
Any year from Meiji 1 (1868) onward. Everything runs in your browser.
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Common questions about Meiji 2
What year is Meiji 2 in the Western calendar?
Meiji 2 (明治2年) is 1869. On Japanese forms it is often shortened to M2, and in kanji it is written 明治二年.
How do I convert a Meiji year to a Western year?
Add 1867. Meiji 2 + 1867 = 1869, and the same rule works for every year in the Meiji era (Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912).
How is Meiji 2 written on documents and coins?
It appears as 明治二年 — the number is written with the kanji numeral 二. A full date follows the same order, with the month and day after the year: 明治二年◯月◯日.
What is the zodiac sign for Meiji 2?
1869 is the year of the Earth Snake (己巳) 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 2 is a past year. Japanese documents issued at the time still carry it.