Grasp the ceiling and the floor! Unbeatable Jungle Cruise [Episode 9] Mr. Kobayashi, also known as tensoko
[Episode 9]
tensoko, KobayashiMr.
・An indicator that precisely captures the market's top and bottom
“A bold catchphrase that captures the top and bottom of the FX market precisely” has drawn attention—the “Tento Chart MT4.” With moving averages and several lines coloring the chart screen, it is highly regarded as an indicator that visually expresses the direction of the market.
This time we directly interview the developer, tensoko, Mr. Kobayashi. He also holds the unusual title of president of a company that runs a rental server business. So what circumstances led to the development and sale of the indicator?
・Not even beginner's luck
Mr. Kobayashi first stepped into the world of trading in 2005. He was initially interested in stocks.
“I think from around May to December 2005, the Nikkei Average kept rising. That sparked my interest, and I started investing in stocks around December of that year. However, in January of the following year, the 'Livedoor Shock' hit, and I fell to the bottom, not even tasting beginner's luck (laughs).”
Kobayashi was greeted by an abrupt, harsh welcome from the market—literally from the top to the bottom.
“I was a complete beginner, so I didn’t even understand the basics of charts at the time. I started studying by buying books. Also, I was dealing with individual stocks, so I did fundamental analysis as well, but futures, currencies, and external factors often influenced prices, and I felt frustrated many times.”
・Technical focus on the Nikkei 225 futures
While Kobayashi had learned about stocks on his own, he repeatedly faced price moves that fundamental analysis could not explain. As a result, he changed his strategy drastically.
“I thought that studying individual stocks would be pointless, so I decided to thoroughly analyze the 225 chart. I started with moving averages, using standard values like 5, 25, 75 days, but then I wondered, who decided those numbers? So I began searching for the best parameters myself.”
・Tops and bottoms revealed by overlaying
As he continued such research, Kobayashi noticed something.
“As I layered lines, I began to see tops and bottoms that a single line could not reveal. And if such things could be understood with moving averages, then indicators built on them should also work, so I started testing individual technical indicators in the same way.”
・The Tento Chart continues to evolve
Thus, the first Tento Chart was completed in 2012. Its official title was “How to Use Technical Indicators to See the Tops and Bottoms at a Glance,” and it was an indicator exclusive to Monex Securities’ Monex Trader.
“My main tool at the time was Monex Trader. The good thing about Monex Trader is that you can stack multiple indicators such as moving averages, and such customizable tools were not common in stocks. Of course, I initially made it for my own use, but I thought I had created something quite good, so I decided to sell it.”
After that, the second version added more indicators, and it became usable not only on Monex Trader but also on MT4. The latest third release includes a buy/sell signal function and is available as MT4-only 'Tento Chart MT4'.
“Even after release, I kept researching each indicator and tweaking parameters, so the versions keep upgrading. Also, I think indicators like these are never truly finished. Although not perfect, I want to continue striving to bring it closer to 80-90%. It’s become a life’s work.”
Understanding there is no end, he continues to seek evolution. Kobayashi's attitude may be part of the secret behind the popularity of this “Tento Chart.”
