Monday, July 23, 2012

illustration friday (carry)














Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. You may have heard this line before, as it is often quoted in films and books. I had the vague impression it was the official creed or motto of the United States Post Office, but apparently the USPS has no such thing.  According to Wikipedia, the words derive from a paragraph in Herodotus' Histories, referring to the courier service of the ancient Persian Empire.

The version accompanying the image of a carrier pigeon (top) is what Terry Pratchett, author of the Discworld novels, uses as the motto of the Ankh-Morpork Post Office. (If you love the Discworld novels, this is where you shout Hip Hip Hurrah! at the top of your voice). HIP HIP HURRAH

The etegami on the right depicts my hard-working mail carrier who is, quite literally, deterred by neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of the dark, snowy Hokkaido winters. I remember clearly when they did this all by bicycle. These days they maneuver our narrow streets, made narrower by the treacherous ice and snow, on their trusty scooters.

I will be sending this etegami to my local post office. The Japanese writing on the card is read okage-sama de, and is often translated "it's all thanks to you," but it really means much more. I have discussed this wonderful term in this post.

16 comments:

  1. I actually remember that post. I really enjoyed hearing about mail delivery to you in Japan!

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  2. Could be dedicated to the USPS carriers, really!

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  3. I am sure your local post office will love receiving this! Wonderful.

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  4. nice job!! so interesting and a great take on the word~

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  5. They both are really cool. And such a wonderful sentiment.

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  6. I loved reading AND eyeing these cards in this post! We don't have the same relationship with our postal service here (or any relationship for that matter), but the last time I brought my etegami in to mail at the post office, the woman behind the counter asked if I would use her counter every time I came in so she could see the etegami being sent. I think they must love mail art.

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  7. Love them both. I know the motto isn't true, because there were several days when we didn't have mail delivery here in Portland, Oregon during a heavy (for us) snow. Personally, I was glad my postman wasn't risking life and limb.

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  8. I adore the colors in pigeons! And all are welcome at my bird feeders :)

    I painted one for Illustration Friday for the word "homing."

    Yours is wonderful, and how sweet to give them to your P.O.!

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  9. I love your stories! Both etagami's are wonderful.

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  10. I am a USPS carrier (sub) and how fitting is this as I am doing routes I don't know and having nightmares about the "gloom of night", LOL. LOVE THIS!! Wonder if the pigeons ever got stuck in the middle of nowhere in a snowstorm like I have???

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    1. Have you ever received a token of appreciation from the people you serve? I was especially wondering if you (or the USPS in general) ever receive letters or cards of appreciation from the community.

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  11. LOVE the pigeon! I'm sure your p.o. will be so pleased!

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    1. I did a hot-weather version too, and will send them both. :)

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  12. Excellent illustration and explanation. :D I ALMOST drew a carrier pigeon for this week's theme, myself (but went with a mouse instead).

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  13. My great grandfather was a mail carrier, and I like hearing about the olden days when he went around with a horse and buggy to visit the neighbors that were scattered around for miles. Lovely paintings, and a lovely idea to send it to your post office!

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