I have two shirasaya that seem a bit dry on the outside. One has sayagaki that I'm concerned may fade. I understand that applying a thin coat of ibota is the traditional approach, though I'd like to avoid a mail order from Namikawa.  Anyway... I have 3 questions:   1. How is ibota applied -- you basically put the powder in a cloth and rub vigorously? 2. Does applying wax risk messing up the sayagaki? 3. Are there more easily available alternatives to ibota? Rennaissance