Not even a true Gryffindor can possess his sword in Japan

One of the many fun things to do in Tokyo, Japan is to visit the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. There are replicas and souvenirs to be found for the avid fans and one specific souvenir is now a problem, according to the Japanese government.

Art or arms?

Soranews24 is the reporting site for this unusual piece of news. Says Casey Baseel,, ""It regularly falls to Gryffindor to answer the call to become heroes...which makes it all the more ironic that in Japan, possessing a symbol of loyalty to the house may now make you a criminal."

The symbol of loyalty in question is the Sword of Godric Gryfindor. We saw it as the weapon Harry used to defeat the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets. It presented itself to Neville Longbottom so he could behead Nagini during the Battle of Hogwarts. In between, we know that some students in Dumbledore's Army were caught trying to smuggle it out of the headmaster's office at Hogwarts.

The replica is 34 inches in length and "the size and design of this very big sword for very big Harry Potter fans is causing it to be recalled." Baseel cites the Firearm and Sword Possession Control Law, which "dictates various criteria as to what distinguishes a sword from practical-use bladed tools, such as cooking knives." In this case, the sharpness of this sword prop is what is being seen as problematic. "The tip of the blade is sharp enough fro it to be judged a sword by the police, and it thus would require a special permit to own."

The sword is displayed as hanging wall art and according to the sales records, there are 351 swords needing a recall. The studio tour has provided a Japanese-language page with details on how to return the weapon for a refund.

It's a shame that such an iconic replica is considered to be a problem under a law, but it's always encouraged to follow such things. "Daring, nerve and chivalry set Gryffindors apart," but none of those things is a good reason to take a stand against police.

The Studio tour of The Making of Harry Potter opened in 2024 as a "combination teme park/museum/photo spot." Even without the Sword, there are plenty of thigs to enjoy, such as "recreations of settings seen in the Harry Potter film series...[and] displays of costumes and props used in the series."