I,d be a bit wary, the small japanese ones like the Acer palmatum disectums are very prone to cold and wind damage, my garden is open to the north and east. I do have an Acer palmatum drummondii which is not too big after 20 years, its a green leaf with white margins, it has some protection from other trees

I have one Acer that like a sheltered north facing position and it is an Acer palmatum 'Butterfly'. It gets almost no direct sunlight (very early morning in spring-summer b4 9am only). It thrives and is growing slowly and so I think fits your bill. Red Acers are supposed to prefer semi-shade but the one I had next to the 'Butterfly' hated being north facing.

Thank you very much for your help.

Kind regards

Lynn