Changes

Until 1873, Japan used a [[Japanese calendar|lunar calendar]], either the Chinese calendar or a close relative. The dates in this calendar are about three to seven weeks after the corresponding Western (Gregorian) date, depending on the year. Almost all source material uses this calendar for events in Japan before 1873, as do Japanese historians.  Therefore all dates, unless otherwise noted, are the Japanese equivalent (the lunar calendar).  However, the Western date will also generally be listed for events taking place between Commodore Perry's arrival in Japan in 1853 until the Japanese calendar was changed to the Western Gregorian calendar in 1873, or in the years before this if it is pertinent to the article in question.  It will also be used for events prior to this when applicable, namely when Westerners were involved in the events of Japanese history during the Sengoku and early Edo period, or for historical events that are covered in English treatments of Japanese history (For example, the [[battle of Nagashino]], the [[battle of Sekigahara]], etc.)  When the Western date is also applicable, it will be noted in various ways.

Until 1873, Japan used a [[Japanese calendar|lunar calendar]], either the Chinese calendar or a close relative. The dates in this calendar are about three to seven weeks after the corresponding Western (Gregorian) date, depending on the year. Almost all source material uses this calendar for events in Japan before 1873, as do Japanese historians.  Therefore all dates, unless otherwise noted, are the Japanese equivalent (the lunar calendar).  However, the Western date will also generally be listed for events taking place between Commodore Perry's arrival in Japan in 1853 until the Japanese calendar was changed to the Western Gregorian calendar in 1873, or in the years before this if it is pertinent to the article in question.  It will also be used for events prior to this when applicable, namely when Westerners were involved in the events of Japanese history during the Sengoku and early Edo period, or for historical events that are covered in English treatments of Japanese history (For example, the [[battle of Nagashino]], the [[battle of Sekigahara]], etc.)  When the Western date is also applicable, it will be noted in various ways.

===Article "Data" Headings===

===Article "Date" Headings===

Dates listed in the data sections at the top of the articles which benefit from the notation of the Western dates are seen as follows:

Dates listed in the data sections at the top of the articles which benefit from the notation of the Western dates are seen as follows:

* Birth: 1848/5/20 ''(6/20/1848)''

* Birth: 1848/5/20 ''(6/20/1848)''