'A way of life': The Japanese dancer conquering Spain's flamenco scene

Japan's Junko Hagiwara has caused a stir in Spain's traditional flamenco world by unexpectedly winning the prize for best dancer at the country's leading flamenco festival -- the first foreigner to do so.

The announcement that the 48-year-old -- who performs under the stage name "La Yunko" -- was awarded the honor at the closing ceremony of August's "Cante de las Minas" festival in the southeastern town of La Union was met with a mixture of applause and some jeering.

"I was very surprised, I could not believe it.