Converter › Meiji era › Meiji 20
Meiji 20 in the Western calendar
明治二十年
=
1887
Year 20 of the Meiji era is 1887 in the Western calendar.
Western year
1887
Kanji form
明治二十年
as stamped on coins
Abbreviation
M20
on licenses & forms
Zodiac
丁亥 Fire Pig
Era position
Year 20 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 明治二十年 — 二十 is two-ten, so it reads 20.
Quick conversion rule: Meiji year + 1867 = Western year (Meiji 20 + 1867 = 1887).
Convert another year
Any year from Meiji 1 (1868) onward. Everything runs in your browser.
Nearby years
Common questions about Meiji 20
What year is Meiji 20 in the Western calendar?
Meiji 20 (明治20年) is 1887. On Japanese forms it is often shortened to M20, and in kanji it is written 明治二十年.
How do I convert a Meiji year to a Western year?
Add 1867. Meiji 20 + 1867 = 1887, and the same rule works for every year in the Meiji era (Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912).
How is Meiji 20 written on documents and coins?
It appears as 明治二十年 — the number is written with the kanji numeral 二十. A full date follows the same order, with the month and day after the year: 明治二十年◯月◯日.
What is the zodiac sign for Meiji 20?
1887 is the year of the Fire Pig (丁亥) 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 20 is a past year. Japanese documents issued at the time still carry it.