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Meiji 16 in the Western calendar
明治十六年
=
1883
Year 16 of the Meiji era is 1883 in the Western calendar.
Western year
1883
Kanji form
明治十六年
as stamped on coins
Abbreviation
M16
on licenses & forms
Zodiac
癸未 Water Goat
Era position
Year 16 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 明治十六年 — 十六 is ten-six, so it reads 16.
Quick conversion rule: Meiji year + 1867 = Western year (Meiji 16 + 1867 = 1883).
Convert another year
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Common questions about Meiji 16
What year is Meiji 16 in the Western calendar?
Meiji 16 (明治16年) is 1883. On Japanese forms it is often shortened to M16, and in kanji it is written 明治十六年.
How do I convert a Meiji year to a Western year?
Add 1867. Meiji 16 + 1867 = 1883, and the same rule works for every year in the Meiji era (Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912).
How is Meiji 16 written on documents and coins?
It appears as 明治十六年 — the number is written with the kanji numeral 十六. A full date follows the same order, with the month and day after the year: 明治十六年◯月◯日.
What is the zodiac sign for Meiji 16?
1883 is the year of the Water Goat (癸未) 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 16 is a past year. Japanese documents issued at the time still carry it.