1.
starting with, beginning with
Used to indicate the first in a series of events, locations, or actions. Almost always appears in the pattern ～を皮切りに (starting with ~).
東京を皮切りに全国ツアーが始まる。
The nationwide tour begins starting with Tokyo.
この店を皮切りに、各地に支店を出す予定だ。
Starting with this store, we plan to open branches in various locations.
彼の成功を皮切りに、若い起業家たちが次々と新しいビジネスを立ち上げた。
Starting with his success, young entrepreneurs launched new businesses one after another.
USAGE:
Almost exclusively used in the pattern ～を皮切りに (starting with ~) or ～を皮切りにして. 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 = skin, 切り = cut) in moxibustion treatment, which was the most painful. From there, it came to mean the beginning of a series.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- ～を皮切りに: starting with ~
- ～を皮切りにして: starting with ~ (slightly more formal)
- ～を皮切りとして: starting with ~ (written style)