Ko Murobushi (1947 - 2015) was one of the best known and acclaimed Butoh artists worldwide and was recognised in Japan as a leading inheritor of Hijikata's original vision of Butoh. He studied with Hijikata in 1968, briefly 'giving up' dance to become a "Yamabushi" mountain monk, after his return to society Murobushi founded several internationally acclaimed dance companies (amongst which the female Butoh-company). 

In his practice Murobushi continously opened his dance and the Butoh tradition to contemporary and foreign influences, importantly french philosophy and literature, on the other hand he tried to research his work much deeper into its Japanese roots. He toured extensively both with his work as a choreographer and performer and collaborated with many important contemporary artists and performacers. After his death his work and writings are preserved through the Ko Murpbushi Archive in Tokyo.