also: ちびふで
worn-out brush
Literally a brush with bristles worn down from use. Formal or literary term.
my poor writing
Only with reading とくひつ
Humble expression used to deprecate one's own writing or calligraphy. Restricted to the reading とくひつ.
I sent my worn-out brush, used for many years, for maintenance.
Though my writing is poor, I would like to say a few words of greeting.
Standard kanji spelling; the reading とくひつ is the most common for this compound.
Alternate reading, less common and more colloquial; refers specifically to a worn-out brush.
Compound of 禿 (bald, worn) and 筆 (brush). The humble sense derives from the literal meaning of a worn brush, metaphorically suggesting one's writing is as poor as a brush past its prime.