also: はなのかお
noun
Archaic poetic expression for a beautiful face, comparing it to a flower. Not used in modern everyday speech.
古典文学では、花の顔と称される女性がよく登場する。
In classical literature, women described as having a flower-like face often appear.
Standard kanji form; reading はなのかんばせ is the primary reading.
Alternate reading はなのかお is less common and may be considered non-standard or archaic.
Mixed kanji-kana spelling; lists it but it is not the typical written form.
美貌 is a more modern and neutral term for 'beautiful face' or 'good looks', while 花の顔 is an archaic poetic metaphor.
Compound of 花 (flower) and 顔 (face), with the reading かんばせ being an older or more formal reading of 顔. The phrase is a poetic metaphor for a beautiful face.