The world of technical analysis owes a massive debt to Japanese trading disciplines. While candlestick charts are globally famous, the core philosophies behind advanced Japanese charting techniques often remain locked behind rare texts. One of the most legendary, sought-after books in this field is .
The Japanese Chart of Charts by Seiki Shimizu is widely regarded as one of the first authoritative English-language guides to Japanese candlestick charting techniques. Originally published in 1986, it bridges centuries-old Japanese trading wisdom with modern financial markets. Amazon.com Accessing the PDF or Text
Steve Nison is often credited with popularizing candlestick charting in the West in the 1990s. Many traders wonder how his work compares to Shimizu's. Nison's books, like Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques , are highly regarded for their systematic cataloging of patterns. However, they were built upon the foundation that Shimizu laid. Where Nison's work is more of an encyclopedia of patterns, Shimizu's text is often described as a deeper, more philosophical and complex dive into the trader's mindset and the market's psychology. Many veteran traders consider Shimizu's work the original source material that Western authors later interpreted and expanded upon.
The book relies heavily on Japanese commodity markets (like red beans and rubber) from decades ago. If you are a modern Forex or Crypto trader, you will have to do the mental work of translating these concepts to your specific market. The charts are black and white and can be difficult to read on small screens (a specific drawback for PDF readers on mobile). The Japanese Chart Of Charts By Seiki Shimizu Pdf
"We should look at the market movement itself rather than look at economic policies." — Seiki Shimizu
The book focuses on traditional Japanese methods refined over centuries, originally used in the 18th-century rice markets by legendary trader .
You do not need a physical first-edition copy to start using Shimizu’s underlying philosophy today. Here is how you can apply the core tenets of The Japanese Chart of Charts to modern stock, crypto, or forex charts: The world of technical analysis owes a massive
In traditional Japanese charting, candlesticks are referred to as In-sen (black/negative/Yin) and Yo-sen (white/positive/Yang). Shimizu views the market through this lens of duality. A trend is never permanent; it is a continuous fluctuation between these two opposing forces seeking equilibrium. Key Patterns Explored in the Text
Shimizu provides a detailed analysis of how these basic tools were traditionally used in Japan to supplement daily line charts.
The origins date back to the 18th-century Dojima Rice Exchange in Osaka. A legendary merchant named Honma Munehisa realized that while supply and demand dictated prices, markets were deeply driven by human emotion. Honma developed the precursor to candlestick charting to track market psychology. The Japanese Chart of Charts by Seiki Shimizu
A historical system based on the principles of Munehisa Homma, focusing on market cycles and five specific chart patterns (San-zan, San-sen, San-ku, San-pei, and San-po).
Every market move generates an equal and opposite potential force. A steep rally builds the energy for a sharp decline, and vice versa. Key Technical Concepts Explored in the Book
To legally access this out-of-print work, the most reliable options are:
To appreciate Shimizu’s work, you must understand the history of the candlestick chart. Western traders relied heavily on bar and line charts until the late 20th century. Meanwhile, Japanese traders had been refining visual market analysis for over two centuries.
Candles where the open and close are virtually identical. Shimizu describes the Doji as a state of pure crossroads—a moment where the market holds its breath before a massive structural shift.
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