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Meiji 23 in the Western calendar
明治二十三年
=
1890
Year 23 of the Meiji era is 1890 in the Western calendar.
Western year
1890
Kanji form
明治二十三年
as stamped on coins
Abbreviation
M23
on licenses & forms
Zodiac
庚寅 Metal Tiger
Era position
Year 23 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 明治二十三年 — 二十三 is two-ten-three, so it reads 23.
Quick conversion rule: Meiji year + 1867 = Western year (Meiji 23 + 1867 = 1890).
Convert another year
Any year from Meiji 1 (1868) onward. Everything runs in your browser.
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Common questions about Meiji 23
What year is Meiji 23 in the Western calendar?
Meiji 23 (明治23年) is 1890. On Japanese forms it is often shortened to M23, and in kanji it is written 明治二十三年.
How do I convert a Meiji year to a Western year?
Add 1867. Meiji 23 + 1867 = 1890, and the same rule works for every year in the Meiji era (Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912).
How is Meiji 23 written on documents and coins?
It appears as 明治二十三年 — the number is written with the kanji numeral 二十三. A full date follows the same order, with the month and day after the year: 明治二十三年◯月◯日.
What is the zodiac sign for Meiji 23?
1890 is the year of the Metal Tiger (庚寅) 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 23 is a past year. Japanese documents issued at the time still carry it.