Koetsu Urushi Blue

Koetsu Urushi Blue

The Koetsu Urushi Blue combines ancient Japanese lacquer art with the refined craft of high-end analogue reproduction. Urushi has a history that stretches back around 10,000 years. Artisans make this natural lacquer from the sap of indigenous Urushi trees.

Koetsu works with select Japanese artisans who 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 a unique character to the cartridge.

The Art of Urushi

The Sky Blue finish gives the cartridge a distinctive visual identity. However, Urushi offers more than a beautiful finish. The lacquer becomes part of the body itself as it cures around the Rosewood.

Koetsu combines this traditional Japanese craft with carefully selected materials. The result is a cartridge that reflects both heritage and precision.

Silver-Clad Copper Coils

All Koetsu Urushi models use silver-clad, ultra-high-purity copper coils. Koetsu creates these coils through a careful process. A silver sheath slowly draws over the copper to form the finished conductor.

This approach reflects Koetsu’s focus on purity and careful material selection. Furthermore, the Urushi Sky Blue combines these coils with a Permendur magnet and boron cantilever.

Three-Dimensional and Musical

Many listeners find that Urushi-bodied Koetsu cartridges offer an even more exciting character than standard Rosewood models. The Blue delivers this distinctive presentation with a strong sense of space and musical involvement.

Jeff Dorgay of Tone Audio praised the cartridge’s “hauntingly realistic” three-dimensionality. The presentation creates a convincing sense of depth and presence.

Steve Guttenberg also highlighted the cartridge’s musical versatility. He found that it brought out the best in older and less-than-perfect recordings. Even classic Motown, Stax, and early Rolling Stones records benefited from the Blue’s presentation.

Rediscover Your Record Collection

The Koetsu Urushi Blue does not limit itself to perfect recordings. Instead, it can make familiar records feel fresh and engaging again.

Its natural presentation reveals the character of each recording. At the same time, it maintains the musical flow that makes analogue playback so compelling.

For Guttenberg, the experience reached a level where musical discoveries happened regularly. That ability to reconnect the listener with familiar records remains one of the Sky Blue’s most compelling qualities.

Japanese Craftsmanship Meets Analogue Art

The Koetsu Urushi Blue brings together hand-applied Urushi lacquer, natural Rosewood, silver-clad copper coils, and a Permendur magnet. Each element reflects Koetsu’s dedication to traditional craftsmanship and musical performance.

With its distinctive Blue Urushi finish and highly involving presentation, this cartridge offers a unique alternative to the classic Rosewood designs.

Key Features

• Urushi lacquered Rosewood body: Japanese artisans apply natural Urushi lacquer by hand. As it cures, the lacquer hardens around the Rosewood body and changes its resonant frequency.
• Silverplated copper coil wiring: Ultra-high-purity copper coils feature a silver sheath that Koetsu slowly draws over the copper.
• Permendur magnet: The generator uses a Permendur magnet for the distinctive Urushi Blue design.
• Boron cantilever: The boron cantilever supports precise groove tracking and detailed musical retrieval.
• Distinctive Urushi character: The Blue finish combines traditional Japanese lacquer craftsmanship with Koetsu’s engaging analogue presentation.

Ancient Japanese lacquer art meets the finest traditions of analogue reproduction. The Koetsu Urushi Blue brings extraordinary depth, musicality, and character to your record collection.