I came upon the original name of this A.J. cv. while looking for a plant for sale namely 'Maiku jaku' as it was spelled. Vertrees gave a meaning of mai to mean dancing and kujaku to mean peacocks. Also in The Book for Maplesthe true cv. name first listed in 1882 is 'Mai kujaku'. Peter Gregory states that 'Aconitifolium' has preference now. OK, but how would one put the Japanese transliteration?
Not sure if this helps, but I will share with you my correspondence with a friend who's wife is Japanese. I had questions about some of the trees I own and the Japanese translation. The one specific to Aconitifolium was the last on my list. His response is in italics below explaining the Japanese translation, along with additional Bold response in with my original email below the italics. (hope this all makes sense): "I have written down the answers next to your questions. Please see below. Many of these maple tree names are based on the ancient Japanese words. (like using Shakespeare-type terms instead of our current English we use today). All of these names (like Bihou) are not commonly used today. These Japanese names, like Bihou, are written with aesthetic compounds or Japanese characters to describe the names' feelings. My wife translated each Japanese name literally because it is very complicated to tell the story, or figurative translation, of the Japanese characters they used to write each name." Here is a list of Japanese maples and corresponding links to a photo of the tree on Flickr: Bihou or sometimes called Bi ho – The name means beautiful mountain range? (known for its beautiful yellow bark that intensifies in winter) http://www.flickr.com/photos/japanesemaplegarden/7226676560/in/set-72157629658462575 You are right; Bihou can mean beautiful mountain range. Bihou can also mean beautiful mountain peak. Hikasa yama – The name means umbrella mountain? (known for its variegated leaves with colors of red, pink, yellow, green, and cream) no photo on Flickr, but it will be uploaded in the next set. Hikasama yama means sun umbrella mountain. This doesn't mean that this umbrella is used for a rainy day. Instead, this sun umbrella represents the hat that Vietnamese farmers wear in the ricefields. This hat looks like a wok (without the handle) upside down worn on top of their heads. Hiryu – The name means flying dragon? (no photo uploaded at this time) You are right; Hiryu means flying dragon. Kagiri Nishiki (any translation, unsure) http://www.flickr.com/photos/japanesemaplegarden/7212473928/in/photostream/ Kagiri Nishiki means "Limited brocade (silk fabric)." My wife believes that Nishiki is a delicate and elaborate brocade. Nishiki means a lot to the Japanese culture because this fabric sounds elegant, expensive and is made of good quality. Shin hikasa (any translation, unsure) http://www.flickr.com/photos/japanesemaplegarden/7212932866/in/photostream/ Shin hikasa means New Sun Umbrella. Shin means new in Japanese. Once again, the New Sun Umbrella refers to the hat that Vietnamese farmers wear in the rice fields. Okushimo - Small pointed leaves curl upward making an unusual texture and overall appearance. A very old cultivar that is native to Japan dating back to 1719. It's my understanding that the name means pepper and salt. http://www.flickr.com/photos/japanesemaplegarden/7158890106/in/photostream/ Your understanding is very close for Okushimo. The curled parts of these leaves looks like it is layered with a light frost (like our grass on in late November or early December mornings in Cleveland. Okushimo can be translated as "being covered in frost." 'Koto no ito' - Very thin and long linearilobum leaves in spring gives the tree a very delicate appearance with an interesting soft texture. Also called harp strings, because of the very long thin leaves hanging downward like the strings of a harp. http://www.flickr.com/photos/japanesemaplegarden/7226650076/in/photostream/ (spring) http://www.flickr.com/photos/japanesemaplegarden/6531373785/in/set-72157628490507707/ (fall) You are right; Koto no ito means Japanese harp strings. My wife found this youtube site if you would like to see Koto, the Japanese herb. The site address is: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBe8jIJQgaU Acer japonicum 'Aconitifolium' maiku jaku It’s my understanding the Japanese name 'Maiku-jaku' translates as "Dancing Peacock". The leaf shape and vibrant colors resemble a peacock, so when the fall wind blows the leaves are supposed to appear as though the peacock is dancing. Common names: Fern leaf maple, Downy Japanese Maple, or Fullmoon Maple (Japanese: ハウチワカエデ hauchiwakaede). http://www.flickr.com/photos/japanesemaplegarden/6540346805/in/set-72157628490507707 http://www.flickr.com/photos/japanesemaplegarden/6715121879/in/set-72157628490507707/ Mai Kujaku means "Dancing Peacock." You are right.
