Days of Delight

Days of Delight refers to the esteemed jazz record label founded in 1973 by Hideo Mitsui in Japan. The label was established during a period of intense interest in American jazz among Japanese collectors and audiophiles, aiming to capture high-fidelity performances by both legendary American expatriate musicians and emerging Japanese jazz talent. Mitsui sought to bridge the cultural gap by providing a platform that emphasized recording quality and artistic freedom, often resulting in sessions that were as much about the process of discovery as the music itself.

The label’s aesthetic design is defined by its distinctive, minimalist covers, which often featured bold typography and striking photographic portraits or abstract imagery. This visual style was intended to convey a sense of sophistication and intimacy, reflecting the label's commitment to the 'purist' jazz aesthetic. Critics and collectors have long praised the Days of Delight catalog for its uncompromising production standards and for preserving sessions that might have otherwise been lost to time, cementing its reputation as a cornerstone of the post-war Japanese jazz scene.