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Meiji 4 in the Western calendar
明治四年
=
1871
Year 4 of the Meiji era is 1871 in the Western calendar.
Western year
1871
Kanji form
明治四年
as stamped on coins
Abbreviation
M4
on licenses & forms
Zodiac
辛未 Metal Goat
Era position
Year 4 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 明治四年 — 四 is four, so it reads 4.
Quick conversion rule: Meiji year + 1867 = Western year (Meiji 4 + 1867 = 1871).
Convert another year
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Common questions about Meiji 4
What year is Meiji 4 in the Western calendar?
Meiji 4 (明治4年) is 1871. On Japanese forms it is often shortened to M4, and in kanji it is written 明治四年.
How do I convert a Meiji year to a Western year?
Add 1867. Meiji 4 + 1867 = 1871, and the same rule works for every year in the Meiji era (Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912).
How is Meiji 4 written on documents and coins?
It appears as 明治四年 — the number is written with the kanji numeral 四. A full date follows the same order, with the month and day after the year: 明治四年◯月◯日.
What is the zodiac sign for Meiji 4?
1871 is the year of the Metal Goat (辛未) 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 4 is a past year. Japanese documents issued at the time still carry it.