This phrase means 'starting with' or 'beginning with'. It shows the first thing in a series of similar events.
Noun + を皮切りにPrimary
Noun + を皮切りにして
This phrase means 'starting with' or 'beginning with'. It shows the first thing in a series of similar events.
その会社は、東京店を皮切りに、全国に支店を広げていった。
Starting with its Tokyo store, that company expanded its branches nationwide.
この美術展は、来月の京都での開催を皮切りに、全国主要都市を巡回する予定です。
This art exhibition, beginning with its opening in Kyoto next month, is scheduled to tour major cities nationwide.
その事件を皮切りに、彼は二度と他人を信用しなくなった。
Starting with that incident, he never trusted other people again.
そのインフルエンサーの投稿を皮切りに、新製品に関する噂がネット上で一気に広まった。
Starting with that influencer's post, rumors about the new product spread across the internet in an instant.
大阪公演を皮切りにして、そのロックバンドは３ヶ月にわたる全国ツアーを開始した。
Starting with their Osaka performance, the rock band began a three-month nationwide tour.
This phrase is like the first domino in a long line. It shows something starts, then many similar things happen because of it. It's not just a start, but a start that leads to more.
This grammar is different from "〜を始めとして" (o hajime to shite). That phrase lists one main example from a group. This grammar is also the opposite of "〜を限りに" (o kagiri ni). That phrase marks the end of something. This grammar marks the start of a series of events.
Don't use this when talking about small, everyday things. For example, don't say "Starting with breakfast, I ate a lot."
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