Maybe 'Sharp's pygmy'?

Good suggestion! A bit harder to find, but slightly more affordable. Seems like the Sharp's grow faster, but mature to the same size?

Take "mature sizes" with a grain of salt - I know of several MK's that are approaching 15'.

Here's a good listing of smaller growing JM's.

Thank you!

I've also looked at:

Kotohime / Hupps. The cons are that it is also slow growing and hard to find a decent size, affordable tree. I also don't love the upright branches.

Shishigashira. Maybe slightly too tall. I prefer the un-crinkled leaves of the Mikawa Yatsubusa.

Sharp's Pygmy. I also had trouble finding an affordable one.

Murasaki Kiyohime. This would probably work and is a bit more affordable.

Sister Ghost. Different growth habit, particularly regarding the leaves, but I think this would work. I usually do not love the white/green variegated plants, but I do always like it on the ghost/butterfly maples.

Dwarf tends to mean smaller leaves and internodes. The smaller internodes often mean a smaller plant AND, as you state, slower growing. However, different cultivars still vary in the vigorousness, at least from my experience and what I've read. I'm not looking to "bend" nature, but rather just find the right balance for my needs: my wife would not be please if I got a 6-inch plant that grows 3-inches a year! And I can't afford a mature tree, because we just moved this year.

Regardless, I ordered a Mikawa Yatsubusa from Mendocino Maples. They sent me a picture of a tree that would cost $60 with shipping, which appears to be almost the same size as the tree I could get locally for $150 (maybe its the same for you in NE, but a lot of local nurseries said they order their trees from California).

I guess I should thank my woman for letting me plant that 6 inch tall Japanese Princess. Good luck with your tree.

Even small Mikawa Yatsubusa is very adorable and IMHO every maple lover should have at least one Mikawa Yatsubusa:). please share pictures when you get it.

I ordered a 1 gallon Mikawa Yatsubusa from Lucille Whitman (Whitman farm) last year and planted in a pot. It has grow at least a couple inches so far this year and very cute. Her 1 gallon is typically of very good size for $25 (+ very reasonable shipping rate, probably the best deal for online sources). I also ordered from Mendocino last year. Very good plants and excellent customer service as well (slightly more expensive).

Oh wow, that is a great price! I didn't see that website in my search, but good to know. I've heard good things about Mendocino too, and the picture they sent of the plant looks good. I'll attached more pics in the future!

Nice size and what a beauty!! Thanks for sharing the picture.