Susuwatari

Character Description
They are small, black as soot and apparently fuzzy, with spherical bodies and two inquisitive eyes. They move by hovering around, but they can extend stick-like legs and arms from their bodies to do certain tasks, and can lift objects many times their own weight.[3] They make a squeaky murmuring sound when excited, and dissolve into powder (soot) if crushed. Sen (Chihiro) befriends a number of them by helping them carry coal. Sen is told that if these Susuwatari aren't given a job to do, they turn back into soot. Lin feeds the Susuwatari much like farmers feed chickens, throwing handfuls of the Japanese candy kompeitō onto the ground for them to eat. After Sen is accepted among the staff of the bathhouse, chiefly by Kamajii and Lin, the Susuwatari become almost admiring of her, and help her in their small ways.