sentences:  Japanese abroad worked in a myriad of roles, though most were merchants, mercenaries, sailors, soldiers, servants, or manual laborers of various sorts.The establishment of the red seal ships system by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the 1590s, and its continuation under Tokugawa Ieyasu in the early decades of the 17th century caused this trade and overseas activity to reach a climax and enter a golden age.Through these maritime adventurers and overseas communities, Japanese entrepôt trade in Southeast Asia thrived.