noun
brush case; pen case
A cylindrical container for carrying or storing calligraphy brushes or writing brushes. The reading ひっとう is rare and may be encountered in historical or specialized contexts.
祖父の書斎には古い筆筒が置いてある。
An old brush case sits in my grandfather's study.
書道の道具として筆筒を買った。
I bought a brush case as a calligraphy tool.
筆箱 is a more general term for a brush or pen box, often rectangular, while 筆筒 specifically refers to a cylindrical case.
Compound of 筆 (fude, 'brush') and 筒 (tsutsu, 'cylinder, tube'), with rendaku voicing of つつ to づつ. The reading ひっとう is the on'yomi reading of the same kanji, likely used in formal or historical contexts.