O clever painter, I implore you to go as a stranger to the five realms and inquire in which dwelling his talk unfolds.

This couplet is a heartfelt request to a skilled artist. It asks them to approach the world as if they were a complete stranger, observing with fresh eyes. The artist is urged to inquire about the true nature of the people and their community, understanding how they live and what defines them. It’s a plea to capture the essence of humanity, to tell the story of the society through an unbiased, insightful portrayal, revealing the authentic character of the population. The artist is seen as someone capable of truly seeing and depicting these nuanced realities.