What was his university major? Did it have any impact on his early trading career?
Okay, let's talk about the Japanese "stock god," Takashi Ogawa (B.N.F.).
Takashi Ogwa (B.N.F.)'s University Major and Trading Career
What was his university major?
He studied in the Faculty of Commerce at Chuo University.
The "Faculty of Commerce" is somewhat similar to a "Business School" or "School of Business Administration" in universities in our country, primarily focusing on subjects related to business and economics.
Did this have any impact on his early trading career?
Talking about its impact on his trading career, many might think, "Wow, graduating from business school, no wonder he's so incredible!" But actually, the relationship is probably different and more nuanced than you might think.
We can look at it in two aspects:
1. The Helpful Part (But Not the "Secret Formula" You Imagine)
His commerce background did give him some foundational advantages:
- Basic Knowledge Entry Point: At university, he was definitely exposed to fundamental concepts such as corporate finance, market economics, and valuation. It's like knowing what the steering wheel does and where the accelerator and brake are located when learning to drive. His starting point was slightly higher than someone completely unfamiliar with business; at least understanding basic financial news and corporate terminology wouldn't be as difficult.
- Interest and Perspective: Being in a commerce environment, surrounded by classmates and professors discussing economics and enterprises, naturally fostered an interest in capital markets for him. It allowed him to view trading as a serious field of study, not just pure "gambling."
2. But the More Critical Factor... (What Truly Made Him Legendary)
His success is over 95% attributable to factors outside his university major. His commerce background might be considered an "admission ticket," but what truly made him a legend were these elements:
- Extreme Focus and Obsession: This is the core of his success. Reportedly, he developed a strong interest in stocks during university and spent the majority of his time on research. He could watch the market for over ten hours a day, eating takeout instant noodles to not miss any market fluctuations. This level of dedication far exceeded anything that could be taught in a classroom.
- Unique Trading Method: His trading method wasn't some profound economic theory or complex financial model. He primarily focused on short-term trading, with the core technique being observing the deviation rate between stock prices and the 25-day moving average (25d MA). Simply put, through massive amounts of market observation, he identified a pattern: when a stock fell too sharply in the short term, deviating too far from its normal trajectory (the moving average), it was highly likely to rebound. He would capitalize on this opportunity by buying to profit from the price difference. This was an effective "unconventional approach" he developed through practice, something never taught in school.
- Discipline of Steel: Trading is highly counterintuitive. Ordinary people want to make more money when winning and hold on stubbornly to losing positions hoping they will recover. Ogawa, however, operated like a machine, strictly adhering to his trading discipline. When it was time to stop loss, he would sell without blinking or hesitation. This psychological fortitude is a prerequisite for top-tier traders and has nothing to do with academic degrees.
To Summarize
So, to summarize:
His commerce background was like giving him an "admission ticket" to the capital markets "playground," helping him understand the basic rules of the game.
However, the reason he became a "legend," mastering this game to the highest level, was entirely due to his own relentless research, practice, and ultimately forging his own personalized "winning strategy."
His academic credentials were his starting point, but what propelled him to such heights was his personal obsession, talent, and subsequent, near-ruthless self-discipline.