Richard Milgrim, an American-born ceramic artist, is renowned for his exceptional skill in creating traditional Japanese tea bowls (chawan). Having trained extensively in Japan under the guidance of several master potters, Milgrim has developed a deep understanding of the philosophy and aesthetics behind the tea ceremony, particularly in relation to the form and function of chawan. His works often reflect a balance between Western craftsmanship and Eastern tradition.
This hikidashi-black teabowl, demonstrates his mastery of the technique. "Hikidashi-guro" is a firing method where the bowl is pulled from the kiln at high temperatures, quickly cooled, and typically results in a deep, lustrous black glaze. Milgrim’s attention to detail in the creation of this bowl, from its form to its subtle surface texture, embodies the spirit of wabi-sabi— a Japanese idiom expressing the celebration of the imperfect and transient. The teabowl’s robust and slightly rugged aesthetic enhances the experience of the Japanese tea ceremony, reflecting both tradition and Milgrim’s personal artistic evolution.

Black glaze technologies were imported to Japan from China and Korea in the 11th century. This famous glaze type offers a medium through which subdued, austere beauty—or 'Wabi'—can be expressed. The interior of the tea bowl also creates an appetizing contrast with the verdant green of Matcha. The beauty of black glazes can be seen in many varieties, such as Hikidashi-kuro, Kuro-Oribe, Tenmoku, and other iron-rich glaze types