Difference between using が and の in these sentences


I have two examples here where the particle の is used where I would've used が
so I was hoping someone could explain if there's a difference in these
instances, or if either is acceptable.

主人のいない侍

顔のない男

Is there a reason の is used in place of が/is the meaning the same if one is
used over the other?




In short, relative (adjectival) clauses (that is, short phrases modifying a
noun), の can replace が. There's really not much to say about it, other than
that it is only used in very short clauses (usually subject の verb-or-
adjective, and that's it), and if it's ambiguous with a "possessive" の than
you either can't use it, or it has to "work either way".

You also wouldn't use it if there's any emphasis on the thing before が - the
construction kind of makes the whole sub-phrase sound like a single adjective
(I mean, that's what it is already, regardless of の vs が - but it sounds more
flat with the の, I think)

