If you have an outside spot even shaded with filtered sun or aft. shade and 5-6 hrs of morning sun it should do great!! It will still grow in total shade but may not show much variegation but it will have more winter protection and will not burn in summer which may be a good compromise since container growing is NOT easy but doable.In reality the OD will do fine in full sun but will have constant leaf burn as mine does in mostly full sun and that placement at least in our parts is not ideal!! If not you can pot it up and put it in an unheated garage away from windows for the winter and lighly water may once a month at most if not frozen solid. David

gotcha - the spot I was thinking of outdoors is full sun, so it sounds like the shadier spot is a better fit, thanks!

Definitely okay. Yes, Chicago has cold winters but many Japanese Maples can be successfully grown here because they are hardier than we give them credit for. Oridono Nishiki is one of the variegated Maples that are hardy in this zone--have been grown successfully here. Look at the thread on Japanese Maples for zone 5, particularly in regard to protection from winter winds.

thanks, my little feller is in the ground, and is actually a perfect fit for the space, look forward to the spring new growth, it sounds really nice.