On November 23, 2025, a brush memorial service was held at Shokakuan, a sub-temple of Tofukuji Temple in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, known as the "Temple of Brushes." Worshippers expressed gratitude for the writing implements they had used for many years and placed their hands together in prayer before the high flames.
The brush memorial service was started shortly after the end of the war by the then-chief priest, who hoped to revive Japan through the power of culture and art. This marks the 79th time it has been held.
After a portable shrine carrying brushes was paraded around the area around Tofukuji Temple, mountain ascetics sounded the sounds of conch shells and drums throughout the temple grounds, and a goma altar set on fire in front of the hall dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane was lit. As the red-hot flames rose, children and monks threw approximately 10,000 brushes and goma sticks into the offering.
A 78-year-old woman from Konohana Ward, Osaka City, who has been attending a calligraphy class for 15 years, offered her shortened pencils with her grandson. "I visit the shrine every year because I want to improve my calligraphy. I was overwhelmed by the flames rising up up close," he said.
