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Meiji 12 in the Western calendar
明治十二年
=
1879
Year 12 of the Meiji era is 1879 in the Western calendar.
Western year
1879
Kanji form
明治十二年
as stamped on coins
Abbreviation
M12
on licenses & forms
Zodiac
己卯 Earth Rabbit
Era position
Year 12 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 明治十二年 — 十二 is ten-two, so it reads 12.
Quick conversion rule: Meiji year + 1867 = Western year (Meiji 12 + 1867 = 1879).
Convert another year
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Nearby years
Common questions about Meiji 12
What year is Meiji 12 in the Western calendar?
Meiji 12 (明治12年) is 1879. On Japanese forms it is often shortened to M12, and in kanji it is written 明治十二年.
How do I convert a Meiji year to a Western year?
Add 1867. Meiji 12 + 1867 = 1879, and the same rule works for every year in the Meiji era (Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912).
How is Meiji 12 written on documents and coins?
It appears as 明治十二年 — the number is written with the kanji numeral 十二. A full date follows the same order, with the month and day after the year: 明治十二年◯月◯日.
What is the zodiac sign for Meiji 12?
1879 is the year of the Earth Rabbit (己卯) 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 12 is a past year. Japanese documents issued at the time still carry it.