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Meiji 42 in the Western calendar
明治四十二年
=
1909
Year 42 of the Meiji era is 1909 in the Western calendar.
Western year
1909
Kanji form
明治四十二年
as stamped on coins
Abbreviation
M42
on licenses & forms
Zodiac
己酉 Earth Rooster
Era position
Year 42 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 明治四十二年 — 四十二 is four-ten-two, so it reads 42.
Quick conversion rule: Meiji year + 1867 = Western year (Meiji 42 + 1867 = 1909).
Convert another year
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Nearby years
Common questions about Meiji 42
What year is Meiji 42 in the Western calendar?
Meiji 42 (明治42年) is 1909. On Japanese forms it is often shortened to M42, and in kanji it is written 明治四十二年.
How do I convert a Meiji year to a Western year?
Add 1867. Meiji 42 + 1867 = 1909, and the same rule works for every year in the Meiji era (Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912).
How is Meiji 42 written on documents and coins?
It appears as 明治四十二年 — the number is written with the kanji numeral 四十二. A full date follows the same order, with the month and day after the year: 明治四十二年◯月◯日.
What is the zodiac sign for Meiji 42?
1909 is the year of the Earth Rooster (己酉) 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 42 is a past year. Japanese documents issued at the time still carry it.