THE SPIRIT OF MARA

Painted by Makoto Hashigami of Tokyo, Japan

Dedicated: May 9, 2008

The Oasis of Mara has been the site of life-giving waters for desert animals and humans for thousands of years. Originally a series of springs stretching for nearly a mile across a southern portion of Twentynine Palms, from what is now the Oasis Visitor Center at Joshua Tree National Park to the 29 Palms Inn, the last remaining pond is still a landmark at the historic Inn. A guest cabin adjacent to that pond is now adorned with the “Spirit of Mara” mural by Makoto Hashigami of Tokyo, Japan, commissioned by 29 Palms Inn owners Paul and Jane Smith in partnership with Action Council for 29 Palms, Inc.

Hashigami’s mural portrays the oasis as it might have appeared in its early days, with a Native American woman looking to the sky and holding a bowl of the pond’s valuable water, thanking the spirits for her treasure. The artist felt a connection to Native American culture and art, he explained, partly because of their ritual offerings to the spirits of nature, reminiscent of Japanese culture. The Shinto faith of Japan resembles Native American religion, both of which worship natural forces and ancestors.

Hashigami was first introduced to the U.S. at age 10. He returned in 1975 to live in New York City, and later attended Santa Monica Junior College as a Japanese foreign student in 1994. A frequent desert visitor, he was staying with friends from college, Steve and Susan Young in Twentynine Palms, when he discovered the mural program and asked to become involved. After working with the artist for over a year, Action 29 was impressed with his astonishing talent, and, after a committee selected by Inn owners Paul and Jane Smith approved his depiction of the oasis, the resulting “Spirit of Mara” was dedicated in May 2008. 

An excerpt from "Oasis of Murals: Twentynine Palms, California" by Vickie Waite, 2009

Mural Location: 29 Palms Inn, 73950 Inn Avenue, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277