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Meiji 6 in the Western calendar
明治六年
=
1873
Year 6 of the Meiji era is 1873 in the Western calendar.
Western year
1873
Kanji form
明治六年
as stamped on coins
Abbreviation
M6
on licenses & forms
Zodiac
癸酉 Water Rooster
Era position
Year 6 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 明治六年 — 六 is six, so it reads 6.
Quick conversion rule: Meiji year + 1867 = Western year (Meiji 6 + 1867 = 1873).
Convert another year
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Common questions about Meiji 6
What year is Meiji 6 in the Western calendar?
Meiji 6 (明治6年) is 1873. On Japanese forms it is often shortened to M6, and in kanji it is written 明治六年.
How do I convert a Meiji year to a Western year?
Add 1867. Meiji 6 + 1867 = 1873, and the same rule works for every year in the Meiji era (Oct 23, 1868 – Jul 29, 1912).
How is Meiji 6 written on documents and coins?
It appears as 明治六年 — the number is written with the kanji numeral 六. A full date follows the same order, with the month and day after the year: 明治六年◯月◯日.
What is the zodiac sign for Meiji 6?
1873 is the year of the Water Rooster (癸酉) 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 6 is a past year. Japanese documents issued at the time still carry it.