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Meiji 38 in the Western calendar
明治三十八年
=
1905
Year 38 of the Meiji era is 1905 in the Western calendar.
Western year
1905
Kanji form
明治三十八年
as stamped on coins
Abbreviation
M38
on licenses & forms
Zodiac
乙巳 Wood Snake
Era position
Year 38 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 明治三十八年 — 三十八 is three-ten-eight, so it reads 38.
Quick conversion rule: Meiji year + 1867 = Western year (Meiji 38 + 1867 = 1905).
Convert another year
Any year from Meiji 1 (1868) onward. Everything runs in your browser.
Nearby years
Common questions about Meiji 38
What year is Meiji 38 in the Western calendar?
Meiji 38 (明治38年) is 1905. On Japanese forms it is often shortened to M38, and in kanji it is written 明治三十八年.
How do I convert a Meiji year to a Western year?
Add 1867. Meiji 38 + 1867 = 1905, and the same rule works for every year in the Meiji era (Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912).
How is Meiji 38 written on documents and coins?
It appears as 明治三十八年 — the number is written with the kanji numeral 三十八. A full date follows the same order, with the month and day after the year: 明治三十八年◯月◯日.
What is the zodiac sign for Meiji 38?
1905 is the year of the Wood Snake (乙巳) 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 38 is a past year. Japanese documents issued at the time still carry it.