Replicas of the iconic sword of Godric Gryffindor, featured in the Harry Potter film franchise, have been recalled in Japan for failing to comply with stringent local weapon regulations. The full-sized models, measuring 86cm (34 inches) and mounted on wooden display plaques, were sold by Warner Bros. Studio Japan LLC from May 2023 until late April of this year. It wasn't until November that authorities notified Warner Bros. that the replicas were deemed sharp enough to classify as actual swords, prompting the recall.
Prices for each replica were set at 30,000 yen (approximately $200 or £158), and these items were available at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo: The Making of Harry Potter, which is recognized as the first studio tour of its kind in Asia and the largest indoor Harry Potter attraction in the world.
In response to the recall, Warner Bros. Studios Japan LLC has published a notice on its website addressing the “distribution issue in Japan.” The notice encourages individuals who purchased the items to reach out for “necessary action including logistics and refund.” As of now, the company has not responded to requests for comments from the media.
Japan's firearms and swords control laws are notoriously strict, prohibiting the carry of knives longer than 6cm (about 2 inches) and imposing serious consequences for offenders, which can include up to two years in prison. Under these laws, swords that are sharp enough to be classified as weapons must be registered, unless they're specifically designated for training or decorative purposes and are not sharpened.
Despite Japan's reputation for low rates of violent crime, incidents involving sharp weapons do occur. Notably, last year a 78-year-old man was arrested in Yokohama for attacking a neighbor with a ceremonial samurai sword, while a 2017 incident involved the discovery of a samurai sword in a Tokyo shrine after a violent attack that resulted in three fatalities.
