The mainstay in Koguryo's military was cavalry. So, big efforts were made to the development of harness, stirrups in particular.

The fact was proven by stirrups discovered in one of the historical sites dating back to Koguryo.

The stirrup, 23.8 cm high and 13.2 cm wide, is elaborately processed, covered with holed bronze sheet. Pictures of four guardians, seen mostly in Koguryo mural tombs, are carved in its ring.

The stirrup, reminding one of a piece of bronze ornaments, gives a glimpse of the high-level art of hole-patterned metalwork of Koguryo.