Ishii Baku 石井漠 is considered the founder of modern dance in Japan. He visited Germany several times, where, like Murayama Tomoyoshi (1901-1977), he was inspired by expressionist dancer Mary Wigman (1886–1973). He also worked intensively with the composer Yamada Kōsaku 山田耕筰 (1886–1965), who had studied in Germany. Ishii's performances in Korea caused a sensation. Leading Korean dancers therefore trained with him in the 1920s. The most famous was Choe Seung-hui 崔承喜 (1911–1969), whom he got to incorporate Korean dance elements, with which she celebrated great international success. The history of modern dance in both Japan and Korea is closely linked to Ishii Baku's name.

Baku was the father of the composers Ishii Kan 石井歓 and Ishii Maki 石井眞木, both of whom also had close ties to Germany.