Koetsu Urushi Black

Koetsu Urushi Black

The Koetsu Urushi Black combines centuries of Japanese lacquer craftsmanship with Koetsu’s celebrated approach to analogue cartridge design. Urushi is a traditional Japanese art that dates back around 10,000 years. Artisans create the natural lacquer from the sap of indigenous Urushi trees.

Koetsu works with select Japanese artisans to apply the Urushi lacquer by hand. As the lacquer cures, it hardens around the natural Rosewood body. This process also changes the body’s resonant frequency, adding another layer to the cartridge’s unique character.

The Art of Urushi

Urushi gives the Koetsu Black its distinctive appearance. More importantly, it forms an integral part of the cartridge’s construction.

The artisan applies the lacquer by hand, allowing the finish to develop its own depth and character. Once cured, the hard Urushi coating surrounds the Rosewood body. The result is a cartridge that combines traditional Japanese craftsmanship with Koetsu’s refined analogue engineering.

Ultra-High-Purity Copper Coils

Every Koetsu Urushi model uses silver-clad, ultra-high-purity copper coils. Koetsu creates this wiring through a careful process. First, it places a silver sheath around the copper. Then, it slowly draws the silver over the copper to create the finished conductor.

This attention to materials reflects the same philosophy found throughout Koetsu’s cartridge range. Each component plays a role in the company’s pursuit of natural and engaging musical reproduction.

A Distinctive Koetsu Sound

Many listeners consider the Urushi-bodied Koetsu models more exciting than the standard Rosewood designs. The Urushi finish adds its own character to the natural Rosewood body. As a result, the cartridge offers a distinctive alternative within the Koetsu range.

The presentation remains deeply musical and involving. It draws you into the performance rather than simply presenting individual details.

10Audio.com captured this quality beautifully, describing the experience as so “captivating and involving” that time became irrelevant and the music became everything.

Japanese Craftsmanship and Analogue Tradition

The Koetsu Urushi Black brings together natural Rosewood, traditional Japanese Urushi lacquer, and carefully crafted silver-clad copper coils. Each element reflects Koetsu’s dedication to materials, craftsmanship and musical expression.

For listeners who want something beyond the classic Rosewood finish, the Urushi Black offers a unique combination of Japanese artistry and high-end analogue performance.

Key Features

• Hand-applied Urushi lacquer: Select Japanese artisans apply the natural lacquer by hand to create the distinctive Urushi finish.
• Natural Rosewood body: The Urushi lacquer surrounds the Rosewood body and changes its resonant frequency as it cures.
• Silver-clad copper coils: Koetsu uses ultra-high-purity copper coils with a silver sheath drawn slowly over the copper.
• Traditional Japanese craftsmanship: The Urushi finish connects this high-end cartridge with a lacquer tradition that dates back thousands of years.
• Distinctive musical character: Urushi-bodied Koetsu cartridges are known for their engaging and exciting presentation.

Ancient Japanese craftsmanship meets the art of analogue reproduction. The Koetsu Urushi Black brings together natural Rosewood, hand-applied Urushi lacquer, and Koetsu’s distinctive musical character.