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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Shahana Yasmin

Harry Potter theme park recalls Gryffindor sword replicas for violating Japan’s strict weapons law

Replica swords sold at the Harry Potter theme park in Tokyo are being recalled for violating Japan’s strict weapons control law.

The Making of Harry Potter theme park opened in Nerima ward last year and features recreations of settings from the popular films as well as props and costumes used during filming.

The props include an “authentic recreation of Godric Gryffindor’s sword” priced at 30,000 yen (£158). The 86cm stainless steel blade is sold mounted on a wooden plaque in the theme park’s gift shop.

The company that runs the theme park, Warner Bros Studios Japan LLC, says it sold 351 of these swords from May last year to April this year.

Godric Gryffindor’s sword in a lake in the Forest of Dean in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Warner Bros)

Japan police recently became aware of the sword and informed the company that the tip of the blade is sharp enough for it to be classified as an actual “sword” under the Firearms and Swords Control Law. This requires owners to register the swords with the authorities.

Warner Bros Studios has since requested customers who purchased the replicas to contact the company as soon as possible. “We have come to the realisation that there are some concerns regarding the sale of the following products that we sold and therefore have decided to recall the products,” the company said in a notice on its website.

“We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and cooperation.”

The Firearm and Sword Possession Control Law has rules for what differentiates a sword from other tools with blades like cooking knives. The length of the blade, the material it is made of and its sharpness are all taken into account for classification.

A sword requires the owner to have a special permit and breaking the law can incur a fine of up to 30,000,000 yen (£158,010) and anywhere between 3 to 15 years imprisonment.

Harry Potter kills a basilisk with the sword of Gryffindor in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Warner Bros)

The Sword of Gryffindor was first seen in the second instalment of the Harry Potter films, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

It appears in the Sorting Hat to Harry, who uses it to kill a Basilisk. According to the books, the Sword of Gryffindor was made in the 10th century by goblins, who fashioned it from pure silver and enchanted it. The hilt is set with rubies and the owner Godric Gryffindor’s name is engraved just below it.

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