Goldfish Garage: A Two Car Fishroom: Acer palmatum 'Kotonoito' Harpstring Japanese Maple The name 'Koto-no-Ito' means "harp strings", a reference to the string-like quality of this Japanese Maple's narrow, deeply divided leaf lobes. It also has a dense, twiggy branch structure that works as the harp frame. The unique, divided leaves have a tinge of red in spring, stay green during summer and change to yellow in fall. Bright green bark and a graceful, elegant form carry the show in winter.