皮切(かわき)り

かわきり
noun
starting with, beginning
abstract
1. starting with, beginning with
Used to indicate the first in a series of events, locations, or actions. Almost always appears in the pattern ～を皮切(かわき)りに (starting with ~).
東京(とうきょう)を皮切(かわき)りに全国(ぜんこく)ツアーが始(はじ)まる。
The nationwide tour begins starting with Tokyo.
この店(みせ)を皮切(かわき)りに、各地(かくち)に支店(してん)を出(だ)す予定(よてい)だ。
Starting with this store, we plan to open branches in various locations.
彼(かれ)の成功(せいこう)を皮切(かわき)りに、若(わか)い起業家(きぎょうか)たちが次々(つぎつぎ)と新(あたら)しいビジネスを立(た)ち上(あ)げた。
Starting with his success, young entrepreneurs launched new businesses one after another.

Usage

Almost exclusively used in the pattern ～を皮切(かわき)りに (starting with ~) or ～を皮切(かわき)りにして. Rarely used as a standalone noun. This expression implies that a first event triggers or leads to a series of similar events.

Etymology

Originally referred to the first incision (皮(かわ) = skin, 切(き)り = cut) in moxibustion treatment, which was the most painful. From there, it came to mean the beginning of a series.

Common patterns

  • ～を皮切(かわき)りに: starting with ~
  • ～を皮切(かわき)りにして: starting with ~ (slightly more formal)
  • ～を皮切(かわき)りとして: starting with ~ (written style)

Related Words

Compare: 口火(くちび) (fuse)
general
Added 2026.2.26 21:22 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
13500/13643_kawakiri