Kamaji

The six-armed old man who oversees the Bathhouse boiler room

A six-armed old man responsible for managing the boiler room in the basement of the Bathhouse and preparing medicinal baths. He has a kind personality that warmly watches over and helps Chihiro.

Quotes

  • These six arms make the work go smoothly!
  • This is my granddaughter!
  • You work hard here too!
  • The basement of the Bathhouse is my domain!
  • You're so reckless!

Trivia

  • The six arms are inspired by a spider.
  • Voiced by the late Bunta Sugawara.
  • Compounding medicinal baths is similar to the role of a Kampo doctor.
  • Kamaji's boiler room is modeled after a real onsen boiler room.
  • He has a great dislike for insects and often flees from them in scenes.

Alternate names

Kamajii Boiler Grandpa

Tags

Spirited Away Studio Ghibli Boiler Room Six Arms Bathhouse Manga Character Anime Character Advisor Old Man Fantasy

Profile

Species
Elderly-type Yokai
Gender
Male

Appearance

Overall appearance
An old man with a spider-like body who freely moves six long arms and wears large glasses. He wears kimono-style clothing and is permanently stationed in the basement of the Bathhouse.
Height
Unknown
Weight
Unknown
Eye color
Brown
Hair color
Black
Distinguishing features
  • Six freely moving arms
  • Black-rimmed glasses
  • Grandpa-style Japanese clothing
Iconic items
  • Black-rimmed glasses
  • Medicinal bath ingredients
  • Boiler machinery and tools
  • Tendon with pickled radish
  • Train ticket

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Compassionate
Detailed personality
Strict about work but kind-hearted, he warmly watches over Chihiro. He treats her like his own granddaughter and is a wise person who offers help in dangerous situations.
Keywords
  • Kind
  • Intellectual
  • Mild-tempered
  • Considerate
  • Extensive knowledge of medicinal herbs
Talents
  • Freely manipulating six arms
  • Knowledge of Kampo medicine
  • Making medicinal baths
  • Boiler technology
Skills
  • Management of the underground boiler room
  • Compounding medicinal baths
  • Maintenance
  • Ability to understand and empathize with human feelings
Motivation
Safe and smooth operation of the Bathhouse. Supporting the weak, such as helping Chihiro.
Habits
During breaks, he enjoys tendon topped with pickled radish. He dislikes insects.
Favorite foods
Tendon, Takuan
Hobbies
Compounding herbs, Boiler maintenance
Disliked insects
Insects, Slugs (Susuwatari slugs)

History

Backstory
A reliable figure who has long worked in the Bathhouse boiler room while supporting the bathhouse's operations. He treats newcomer Chihiro kindly and watches over her growth.
Debut date
July 20, 2001
Work title
Spirited Away
Media type
Movie

Chihiro's Rescue

Significant event
Chihiro's Rescue
Description
He treated the ailing Haku with medicinal bath and bitter dango, and gave Chihiro the ticket needed for her journey to visit Zeniba.

Boiler Room Management

Significant event
Boiler Room Management
Description
Manages the underground boiler room with his six arms, playing an indispensable role in the bathhouse's operations.

Chihiro's Protection

Significant event
Chihiro's Protection
Description
Amidst hardships, he shields Chihiro, protects her from bullying at the Bathhouse, and provides support.

Relationships

Chihiro Ogino

Protector

When Chihiro stumbled into the boiler room, he kindly welcomed her and gave her advice.

Haku

Colleague

When Haku was injured in the boiler room, he treated and supported him.

Lin

Colleague

Lin interacts with Chihiro under Kamaji's instructions, so they have an indirect relationship.

Bathhouse Employees

Bathhouse Employees: technician

Media appearances

Spirited Away

Movie / Protagonist

Theatrical release in 2001

Voice cast and creators

Bunta Sugawara

Voice actor
Bunta Sugawara
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Theatrical version
Notes
Original Japanese version

David Ogden Stiers

Voice actor
David Ogden Stiers
Language
English
Version or series
English dub

Hayao Miyazaki

Creator name
Hayao Miyazaki
Role
Original author

Hayao Miyazaki

Creator name
Hayao Miyazaki
Role
Character designer

Studio Ghibli

Creator name
Studio Ghibli
Role
Animation studio

Toshio Suzuki

Creator name
Toshio Suzuki
Role
Producer

Related goods

Kamaji Figure

Item name
Kamaji Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Kamaji Plush

Item name
Kamaji Plush
Category
Plush or doll
Availability
Limited