What it means
を皮切りに means “starting with” and identifies the first event, place, person, or other item in a series that then expands or continues to related events. It often presents the initial item as the launch point for a campaign, tour, set of performances, investigation, or other organized sequence. The expression is relatively formal and is especially common in written, official, and announcement-style language.
Usage note
を皮切りに does not merely indicate that one event happened before another; it suggests that the first item serves as the beginning or trigger of a broader series. It is often followed by expressions such as に続いて or a phrase describing subsequent developments.
How to use it
新店舗の開店を皮切りに、各地で記念イベントが開催されました。
Starting with the opening of the new store, commemorative events were held in various locations.
新店舗の開店を皮切りに、各地で記念イベントが開催された。
Starting with the opening of the new store, commemorative events were held in various locations.