In Japan, not even the magical powers of Harry Potteror Gryffindor House, are enough to evade the country’s strict gun laws.
Replicas of swords from the franchise are being withdrawn from the market. Harry Pottersold by Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo during their popular exhibition The creation of Harry Potter.
The company issued a product advisory late last month about the 34-inch (86-centimeter) long decorative display swords, which were described as “an authentic recreation of Godric Gryffindor’s sword, as seen in the series of movies Harry Potter”, and “attached to a wooden display board”. The English statement cited “a distribution issue” as the reason for the recall, while the Japanese statement added that “it has come to our attention that there is some concern” about the product.
Japanese media, including public broadcaster NHKsaid investigators had found that the replica swords were sharp enough to violate the country’s gun control laws.
Although the studio no longer sells the replica swords, which were available for purchase from May 2023 to April 2024 at the exhibition, 351 were sold at the price of 30,000 yen ($200) and still appear on resale apps, it reported. Asahi Shinbum.
The company apologized to customers for the inconvenience and said anyone who had purchased the product should contact them for details “including logistics and refunds.” The studio did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside of business hours.
In the fictional series of Harry Potterthe sword belonged to one of the founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, for whom one of the school’s houses was named. The 1,000-year-old goblin-made sword, which could only be summoned by those who demonstrated true courage and bravery, plays a key role in a series of events crucial to the story.
Japan has some of the strictest gun laws in the world and some of the lowest crime rates. The country’s Sword and Firearms Control Law, enacted in 1958, prohibits carrying blades longer than five centimeters (two inches) and requires that any replica sharp enough to be classified as a weapon be registered with authorities.
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Naomi Schanen contributed to this report.
Fuente: The Washington Post.
