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~を皮切かわきりに: meaning, usage and examples

~を皮切かわきりに means: starting with... (and continuing).

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 彼かれのその発言はつげんを皮切かわきりに、会議かいぎで活発かっぱつな議論ぎろんが始はじまった。

   Starting with his remark, a lively discussion began in the meeting.

2. 東京とうきょうでの公演こうえんを皮切かわきりに、全国ぜんこくツアーが開催かいさいされる。

   Starting with the performance in Tokyo, a national tour will be held.

3. 新しん店舗てんぽは大阪おおさかを皮切かわきりに、全国ぜんこくで順次じゅんじオープンする予定よていだ。

   Starting with Osaka, new stores are scheduled to open across the country one after another.

4. 田中たなかさんの質問しつもんを皮切かわきりに、次々つぎつぎと手てが挙あがった。

   Starting with Mr. Tanaka's question, hands went up one after another.

When to use it

Means "starting with A, a series of similar things followed." A is the first in a chain of events, places or actions. Example: 東京とうきょうを皮切かわきりに、全国ぜんこくで公演こうえんする (starting in Tokyo, they will perform across the country). Common for tours, store openings, campaigns and waves of questions.

Nuance

Neutral to formal; frequent in news and business writing. The main clause must describe things spreading or continuing in a series (次々つぎつぎと, 全国ぜんこくで, 順次じゅんじ). A single event after it sounds wrong. Usually positive or neutral, not for disasters.

Compare

を機きに means A was a chance to start something new: 結婚けっこんを機きに引ひっ越こした. を境さかいに marks a before-and-after change: 事故じこを境さかいに変かわった. を皮切かわきりに is about A being the first of many. Everyday version: から始はじまって: 東京とうきょうから始はじまって各地かくちを回まわる.

Tip: Look for a series in the second half. No 次々つぎつぎ, 全国ぜんこく, 順次じゅんじ or similar? Then を皮切かわきりに is probably the wrong choice.