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Richard is the first Western potter to successfully establish himself in the staunchly
traditional world of tea ceramics and he has been endorsed in that role by Dr. Sen Genshitsu for over 20 years.
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A native of New York, Milgrim first visited Japan in 1977 as a college student and traveled throughout the country, researching ceramics and Japanese arts. After receiving
a degree in Fine Arts and Japanese Studies from Antioch College, Milgrim began a dedicated study of both Japanese pottery and the Japanese tea ceremony with an
apprenticeship with Iwabuchi Shigeya, Master Potter in Kyoto. Milgrim's first one-man show was held in Kyoto in 1981. In 1984 Milgrim acquired a traditional
farmhouse in the village of Yotsuya (near Kyoto) and built his own kiln. Dr. Sen Genshitsu, the former Grand Master of the Urasenke Tea Tradition, named
the kiln Richado-Gama, a truly rare honor as the Chinese characters are not only pronounced the same as Richard's real name in English, but each of them
is inseparably related to who and what Milgrim is and does.
RICHADO-GAMA  , name of Milgrim's kiln in Japan
- RI
 from Rikyu  , a famous tea master (1521-1591 AD)
- CHA
 , meaning tea
- DO
 , meaning earth or clay
- GAMA
 , meaning kiln
Milgrim has exhibited extensively throughout Japan and worldwide. He established a second studio in Concord, Massachusetts, in 2000.
PROFILE RICHARD MILGRIM
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1955
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Born October, White Plains, N.Y., U.S.A.
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1977
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Traveled one year in Japan researching ceramics and Japanese culture
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1978
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Worked as research intern at Fogg Museum, Harvard University
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1979
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Graduated from Antioch College (Ohio) with B.A. in Fine Arts and Japanese Studies; Began studying "Chanoyu" (Tea Ceremony) and worked at
Japan House Gallery in NYC for Chanoyu Exhibition; First met with Dr. Sen Soshitsu (Urasenke 15th Generation Grand Master); Returned to Japan as recipient of Thomas J. Watson Fellowship and began apprenticeship with Iwabuchi Shigeya, Master Potter in Kyoto; participated in one-month live-in seminar at O-moto School of Traditional Japanese Arts, Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture; Entered Midorikai program to study Chanoyu at Urasenke for one year.
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1981
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Held first one-man exhibition in Kyoto
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1982 - 84
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Apprenticed with following Master Potters:
- Tahara To-bei (Hagi)
- Fujiwara Yu (Bizen)
- Kato Ko-emon (Mino)
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1983
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Exhibited Hagi and Bizen Works in Kyoto and Tokyo
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1984
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Established independent kiln "Richado-Gama" (named by Dr. Sen) in Northern Kyoto Prefecture, Hiyoshi-cho, Yotsuya
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1985
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Began exhibiting in solo and group shows throughout Japan
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1987 to
Present
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One-man exhibitions at Takashimaya Dept. Store Galleries in Kyoto, Tokyo, Yokohama, Yonago, Okayama, and elsewhere
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1992
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Fletcher Challenge International Exhibition selection (New Zealand); 1992 Tanko Biennale "Tea Arts for the 21st Century," (Kyoto), awarded
Honorable Mention
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1993
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Completed new studio and gallery at Richado-Gama
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1994
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Tanko Biennale Competition selection
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1995
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One-man exhibition Honolulu, Hawaii; Selected for Japan National Ceramic Art Biennale Exhibition (1997, 1999, 2001, 2003)
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1996
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Tanko Biennale Competition selection
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1997
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One-man exhibitions at Kokura Tamaya and at Sapporo Tokyu (both are department store galleries)
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1998
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Tanko Biennale Competition, awarded First Prize; One-man exhibition at Tokyo Nihonbashi Takashimaya Dept. Store Gallery; One-man exhibition
at Gallery Dai-ichi Arts in New York City; One-man exhibition in Akita City; Workshop- Lecture at Princeton University
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1999
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20th Anniversary exhibitions held at Takashimaya Dept. Store Galleries in Kyoto and in Yokohama
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2000
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Established residence in Concord, Massachusetts; Workshop / Lecture at Utah State University
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2001
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Selected for 1st Ceramic Biennale International Competition, Kyonggi, Korea; One-man exhibition at Tokyo Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Dept. Store
Art Gallery
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2002
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One-man exhibition at Kyoto Takashimaya Art Gallery
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2003
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Exhibition / Lecture at Eastern Shore Art Center, Fairhope, Alabama; Tea Bowl Exhibition at the Japonesque Gallery in San Francisco, CA.;
One-man exhibition at Yokohama Takashimaya Art Gallery
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2004
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One-man exhibition at Tokyo Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Dept. Store Art Gallery. Received the name KONKO-GAMA  from Dr. Sen Genshitsu for his studio in Concord MA.
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2005
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One-man exhibition at Tottori Daimaru Department Store Gallery, and also at the Kyoto Takashimaya Dept. Store Art Gallery. Selected for Japan National Ceramic Exhibition.
Launched Internet homepage TeaCeramics.com.
Click here to read essay about the beginnings of Milgrim's personal journey into the world of Japanese tea ware.
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Public Collections
Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Everson Museum (Syracuse, NY), Honolulu Academy of Arts,
Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Nomura Museum, and the Ichon World Ceramic Center (South Korea).
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