を皮切りに (wo-kawakiri-ni): Starting with; beginning with
〜を皮切りに (wo-kawakiri-ni)
Meaning
Starting with; beginning with
Formation and usage
N + を皮切りに（して）
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation
Marks the first in a subsequent series of similar events, not just any starting point.
Examples
東京での公演を皮切りに、全国を回る。
Starting with a performance in Tokyo, the group will tour the country.
京都での公演を皮切りに、全国を回る。
Starting with a performance in Kyoto, the group will tour the country.
大阪での公演を皮切りに、全国を回る。
Starting with a performance in Osaka, the group will tour the country.
神戸での公演を皮切りに、全国を回る。
Starting with a performance in Kobe, the group will tour the country.
福岡での公演を皮切りに、全国を回る。
Starting with a performance in Fukuoka, the group will tour the country.
How related patterns differ
べく and んがため state purpose in literary language. がてら and かたがた combine purposes, with かたがた more formal. をきっかけに and を契機に trigger change; を皮切りに starts a series, and を経て passes through a process.