Official who served as Board of Works sub-director and Gaeseong instructor; younger brother of Cha Cheon-ro; courtesy name Manri, pen name Changju
| Life | 1559 ~ 1637 |
| Era | 조선 중기 |
| Clan | 연안 차씨 |
Cha Un-ro (1559-1637) was a mid-Joseon official of the Yeonan Cha clan with courtesy name Manri and pen name Changju. His father was Cha Sik, who served as Board of Taxation jwarang, and his elder brother was the famed Cha Cheon-ro. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture says he served as Board of Works jeongrang, Gaeseong instructor and Bongsangsi panggwan.
His family was not of high rank in his day, but with his brother he was esteemed for prose. Father and two sons were said to be comparable to the Three Su of Song for their poetry and prose, and the brothers were called 'Two Chas and One Ma' together with the licentiate Ma Sang-won.
The Changju-gong branch, named after his pen name, is said to have continued in the Dangjin area alongside the Osan-gong branch. The fact that his criticism of Yi An-nul's poetry is cited in poetry talks such as the Hogok sihwa shows he was accepted as a writer with a sharp eye for verse. Beyond the Encyclopedia, details of his life could not be fully cross-checked.
Cha Un-ro is easily overshadowed by his elder brother, but contemporaries judged the two together. The nickname 'Two Chas and One Ma' is typical and shows how rarely two writers came from a single family.
The Changju-gong descendants are said to live in the Dangjin area alongside the Osan-gong descendants. The two branches share a root as brother lines from their father Cha Sik. See the Osan-gong card for details.
The location of his grave was not confirmed here.