isU

Isu is a term that can refer to several distinct subjects, depending on context. Its meaning changes with capitalization and field, so clarity often depends on how the word is written.

In Japanese, isu (椅子) simply means a chair. It is a common noun used in everyday language to designate seating furniture. The word appears in ordinary conversation, signs, and instructional writing, and it is romanized with the standard Hepburn form as “isu.”

In international sport governance, ISU (uppercase) stands for the International Skating Union, the world governing body for figure skating, short track speed skating, speed skating, and synchronized skating. Founded in 1892, the ISU is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, and oversees world championships, world cup series, and the judging and rule frameworks for its sports, operating through national associations around the world. The acronym is widely used in competition schedules, results, and governance documents.

In popular culture, Isu (capitalized) refers to a fictional ancient civilization in the Assassin’s Creed video game series. The Isu are portrayed as a technologically advanced “First Civilization” that predates humanity. They created powerful artifacts, such as the Apple of Eden, and their remnants shape much of the series’ lore and plot. The Isu are depicted as having vanished after a cataclysm, with human civilizations later discovering or exploiting their technology.

Notes: the meaning of isu depends heavily on capitalization and context. Lowercase isu often denotes the Japanese word for chair; uppercase ISU denotes the International Skating Union; capitalized Isu denotes the fictional civilization in Assassin’s Creed.