Can a woman of non-Japanese origin, i.e. black/white/Latino, become a geisha
I do not know for sure the answer to this, because the concept of the ‘geisha’ has changed over time, and also I am not Japanese. However, from what I’ve read on the subject, geishas were entertainers, equivalent to what an actress is today. I mean, although it was an expression of Japanese culture, I don’t think it was race-based at all. However, keeping in mind present racism that may be apparent in the Japanese culture (accepting whites fully but rejecting blacks), it is possible that a white woman that tries to be a geisha is accepted more than a black woman that does the same thing. But then again, it may be viewed as a form of mockery. But, as I said before I’m not Japanese, so this is all my opinion.
A white American woman named Liza Dalby became a geisha in Japan in the 1970s and wrote a book about her experiences, called ‘Geisha.’ (It’s a very good book and well worth reading.) So apparently the answer is ‘yes’ – if a non-Japanese woman can immerse herself in the culture and find a geisha to take her under her wing, as Dalby did.
I agree with the other lady who responded. However, FINDING a genuine geisha is pretty hard nowadays… There aren’t very many around anymore.