the lord chamberlain said, “there have been arguments of late whether virtue is inborn or acquired. what is you lordship’s view?”

lord takanori said, “pointless.”

the chamberlain said, “if virtue is inborn, then training will avail us naught. if it is acquired, then an outcast can become the equal of a samurai.”

lord takanori said, “the virtuous shit. the unvirtuous shit.”

the chamberlain bowed respectfully and withdrew.

lord takenori returned his full attention to the scene before him and continued painting a view of trees obscuring lady shinku’s bath.

~ suzume no kumo (1817)