ショウ, さ.く, ざき, さ, さき

blossom, bloom

JLPT2 G7 S9 F1534

芺# is as per (slender and limber) + 艸 grass/plant → slender and limber plant. The addition of mouth suggests a slender opening of the mouth in smiling/laughing. is a variant of this character. *Blossom* and *bloom* are borrowed meanings, via a literal construing of the expression 鳥鳴花 (Birds sing, flowers open).

[Full Kanji Etymology List]