Rule of thumb on wood ID says hardwoods (angiosperms) are easy to ID macroscopically and difficult to ID microscopically... while gymnosperms are easy to ID under power, but tough without...
In lumber form "red maple" is commonly used interchangeably with "soft maple", though it is technically incorrect. The fact red maple is one of the most common eastern trees has everything to do with that. I believe I remember the Japanese species are all relatively soft. Their commercial species are all "soft maple" when lumber.
Not all cedar smells, too... Our AK yellow cedar smells nothing like TN cedar, or red, or anything else... stinky stuff!
