Not sure this is the best choice for you :-) First, it will be of marginal hardiness - many of the linearlobum varieties are rather delicate little creatures that like it neither too hot or too cold. Mine didn't overwinter a late cold snap in my usually mild and balmy zone 8/9. Second, it is just a small upright selection - no inherent sculptural characteristics to its growth habit although it is always best to see the young trees in person and make your judgment from that.

Thankfully we're relatively immune (knock on wood) to late cold snaps-- we're very near Lake Michigan, and it moderates our temperatures in the spring. I've seen Koto no ito on the lists of people's maples that made it through this incredibly cold Polar Vortex winter in 5b/6a, so I thought it would work here.

Is this others' experience of Koto no ito? That it won't do well in zone 5b?

It is only listed to zone 6. And if you'll notice, I am in zone 8 (actually closer to 9 since I am located on salt water). I was surprised to discover that mine did experience difficulty in cold weather (and believe me, my cold weather is nothing like what you experience in MI!!) but my experience with these specific types of JM's is that they are unusually delicate until well established. And I'm just not sure your location offers that potential.