DAIHACHI YAGI

YAGI--Daihachi. Daihachi Yagi, 30, sadly passed away on September 29, 2024, in his hometown of New York City. Daihachi was a loving son, brother, uncle, partner, and friend. But more than that, he was also an infectious ball of energy with fabulous dancing shoes, a walking encyclopedia of weird videos and movie quotes, a certified maker of silly faces, a calm driver that gave gnarly shoulder-rides, and a roller coaster enthusiast. In short, he was an absolute joy and treasure to be around. Although his time with us was devastatingly short, he lived more truthfully and vulnerably and loved more deeply than most of us knew how. He has undeniably changed the lives of his family and friends for the better, leaving behind the invaluable gift of his loyalty, compassion, bizarre humor, brilliant insights, and the reminder that life is fragile and precious. Daihachi had a deep appreciation for and knowledge of films and music. He also had an inimitable talent for making creative, joyful, and moving videos that brought smiles to everyone's faces and revealed his unique way of making sense of the world around him. He paid close attention to detail in everything he did, which not only made him a great visual storyteller but also an incredibly perceptive and thoughtful individual. Daihachi was blessed with strong friendships he made while attending The Browning School, Riverdale Country School, and the University of St. Andrews. During his working years, he taught many people how to drive and he managed several restaurants, most notably Ban Rai, the izakaya he built into a late-night haven for people like him. Wherever he went, he created space and time for the people he met and made them feel seen and heard. Though he will be sorely missed, we are certain that fragments of his pure and brilliant soul will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of those who were so lucky to be loved by him. Daihachi is survived by father Bon, mother Tomoko, sister Sakura, niece Tsuru, and many adoring friends and relatives. In lieu of flowers, please consider leaving a memory on www.DaihachiMemorial.com and making a donation to the arts fund in his name.