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Gondola no Uta (ゴンドラの唄, "The Gondola Song") is a 1915 song that was popular during Taishō period Japan. Lyrics were written by Isamu Yoshii, melody by Shinpei Nakayama.
In popular culture
It was used as a theme song in Akira Kurosawa's 1952 film Ikiru. The terminally ill protagonist, played by Takashi Shimura, initially sings it as an expression of loss, and at the end with great contentment. His final performance of the song has been described as "iconic."
The song is also referenced in the Japanese manga titled, Fushigi Yūgi Genbu Kaiden.
This music is also used in a Japanese Drama titled "Haikei Chichiue sama".
The song is sung in Clemens Klopfensteins's film, Macao (1988).
The song was also used in the Japanese TV show titled, Otomen.
From the song, the phrase "Life is short, fall in love maidens..." (Inochi mijikashi, koi seyo otome...) has gained some popularity during the 1990s Japan. Especially the phrase "Koi Seyo Otome" has been used as the title for several songs and a Japanese television drama.