by Mick the Ram

Japan’s strict laws surrounding ownership of weapons has had an effect on fans of Harry Potter as a replica item from the film franchise has fallen foul of the country’s laws.

A full-sized souvenir blade sold at a popular exhibition for the bespectacled young wizard in Tokyo, was found to contravene the Firearms and Sword Control law.

Police clamped down on the memento which is mounted on a wooden plaque and ordered that Warner Bros cease selling the sword and recall those that have already been purchased and offer a refund.

Special license required

Apparently the 86cm stainless steel blade’s tip is too sharp and authorities decided that ownership could only be allowed if in possession of a special licence, otherwise it would be deemed illegal under Japan’s 1958 act.

The only exceptions are when swords are meant for training purposes or to be used as decoration and they under no circumstances can be sharpened.

Authentic recreation

More than 350 of the items were sold at 30,000 yen (US$200) with its description on the company’s website which promotes the event calling it: “an authentic recreation of Godric Gryffindor’s sword”.

The Warner Bros tour opened in 2023 on the site of the former Toshimaen amusement park.

The facility features sets from the hit films, such as the London Ministry of Magic, and is billed as the largest indoor Harry Potter attraction in the world.

Fallen into actual sword category

It would appear that police only became aware of the potential contravention of the rules on the  weapons recently.

It was just last month that the authorities moved to tell the company that after examination, the pieces were to be declared as being sharp enough to be categorised as an actual sword.

Distribution issue

As a consequence they have acted to ensure the illegal sales stop, with Warner Bros instructed to encourage the return of the weapon, with a guarantee of a full refund.

They have labelled the situation a “distribution issue” and posted notices to that effect in both Japanese and English.

A number of the swords were available on online marketplaces in Japan, but appear to have been removed since.

Very low crime rates

However harsh the decision may seem, it has to be acknowledged that tight restrictions on weapons in Japan (even ceremonial swords need registering) contribute to keeping crime rates – particularly those involving violence – very low.

The effect is startling, with the annual number of shooting incidents, which usually involve yakuza gangsters, rarely breaching double figures and as carrying knives over 6cm (2 inches) is banned, with violators facing up to two years in prison, that law is also very rarely broken.

Book/film’s sword over thousand years old

In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the fictional sword is said to be 1,000 years old and commissioned by the founder of the Hogwarts school for wizards.