JLPT N1 grammar
〜を皮切りに(して) — Meaning & Examples
"Starting with X, (a whole series followed)." Requires a following series, not a one-off event. 東京公演を皮切りに、全国ツアーが行われる.
〜を皮切りに(して) — "Starting With X, (a Series Followed)"
を皮切りに(して) introduces the FIRST event in a chain — X kicked things off, and more of the same followed afterward.
Pattern: [noun] + を皮切りに(して)
東京公演を皮切りに、全国20都市でコンサートが行われる。
= Starting with the Tokyo performance, concerts will be held in 20 cities nationwide.
その作家は、このデビュー作を皮切りに、次々とヒット作を発表した。
= Starting with this debut work, the author went on to release one hit after another.
彼女の受賞を皮切りに、チーム全体の評価が高まった。
= Starting with her award, the whole team's reputation rose.
Key restriction: There must be a SERIES that follows — a single isolated event doesn't fit を皮切りに. It's always "X, then Y, then Z..."
Key feeling: A starting gun — X isn't just first in time, it's the opening act of a whole run.
Practice questions
Try these 2 questions on 〜を皮切りに(して). Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. 「東京公演を皮切りに、全国20都市でコンサートが行われる。」 means?
- Starting with Tokyo, concerts will be held in 20 cities nationwide
- Only Tokyo will have a concert
- The Tokyo concert was cancelled
- Concerts happened before Tokyo
Show answer
Answer: Starting with Tokyo, concerts will be held in 20 cities nationwide
を皮切りに = starting with X, a whole series follows — Tokyo is the opening act of a nationwide run.
2. を皮切りに requires what to follow?
- A single isolated event
- A negative statement
- A series of similar events
- A question
Show answer
Answer: A series of similar events
を皮切りに always needs a following series — X kicks things off, and more of the same follows. A lone event doesn't fit.
Practise 〜を皮切りに(して) in the free app
This point is part of the “Basis, Boundaries & Turning Points — を皮切りに・をもって・を境に・いかんによって” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N1 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N1 grammar points
From the same lesson: Basis, Boundaries & Turning Points — を皮切りに・をもって・を境に・いかんによって
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜を皮切りに(して) mean?
"Starting with X, (a whole series followed)." Requires a following series, not a one-off event. 東京公演を皮切りに、全国ツアーが行われる.
Is 〜を皮切りに(して) on the JLPT N1 test?
〜を皮切りに(して) is taught in the JLPT N1 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Basis, Boundaries & Turning Points — を皮切りに・をもって・を境に・いかんによって”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜を皮切りに(して)?
Open the “Basis, Boundaries & Turning Points — を皮切りに・をもって・を境に・いかんによって” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N1 mock exams, with no ads.